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David Gruber

A variegated snailfish, the first species shown to biofluoresce in the Arctic, glows in both green and red, a rare example of multiple fluorescent colors in one animal.

Marine biologist David Gruber first noticed biofluorescence in fish when a green eel (similar to the one pictured) appeared in images he and his colleagues were taking of biofluorescent coral.

Without a yellow filter to block out blue light, humans would not be able to see the neon colors of this Red Sea coral.

A tripple-fin-blennie (Enneapterygius sp.) with targeted areas of red biofluorecence when stimulated by blue ocean light.

A tripple-fin-blennie (Enneapterygius sp.) under white light

A chain catshark, one of the 200 species of marine animals to display biofluorescence, is seen glowing neon green on a deep sea fluorescent dive near California‘s coast. Surreal diving experiences like this help scientists better understand and protect marine life—and travelers can now try it too.

Biofluorescence could be employed for a number of reasons, says Alexander Gaos, director of the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative. They include finding or attracting prey, defence, or some kind of communication.