Although the zoological forms demonstrated to illustrate the idea of bioluminescent is a list of few in number, it does not mean that they are the only species capable of producing light. Of microscopic organisms, bioluminescence may be found in species of cystoflagellates, radiolara (one celled protozoa), and other dinoflagellates. Of the larger organisms, the list includes jellyfish, siphonophores, ctenophores (comb jellies), worms, crustaceans, brittle stars, molluscs, turnicates, hydroids, sea pens, fish, earthworms, centipedes, and selected insects, such as Springtails, true flies, and particular beetles.

Many bioluminescent organisms may be observed in water of the sea, as none of the fresh water organisms are capable of producing such light, and of these organisms, some of squid and krill, but many are fish found at average depths of 304.8 to 2438.4 m (1000.0 to 8000.0 ft), with few exceptions. It may be stated that over 75% of deep sea fish have been found to be luminescent, as light is unable to penetrate the water to such depths (no wavelengths absorbed beyond 914.4 m or 3000.0 ft). When expressed in terms of the ocean divisions, it may be said that the fish are found in the lower twilight zone (found approximately at 91.4 to 1066.8 m from surface, or 300.0 to 3500.0 ft) but are found mostly in the abyssal zone, which is from 1066.8 m (3500.0 ft) to the ocean floor, wherever it may be. The abyssal zone is dark with high pressure, and drastic temperature changes, where hot fluids are released from hydrovents which may reach up to 398.9 C (750 F). Homo sapiens cannot withstand the great pressure found at such depths and must acquire specific equipment, however many fish may be discovered at this point, perhaps appearing as silver or black, where they may be silver, red, or purple on land. The fish found in the twilight zone possess large, well-developed optical apparatus’, where the fish of the abyssal zone have tiny, poorly-developed optical systems. Most of the fish have been found to be carnivorous, however habits vary with species, where some may surface to feed or they may be able to feed on animals larger than themselves.

A few of such fish are listed briefly below and are open to extra research.

Species: Black Dragon Fish (family: Malacosteid)
Physics Application: The fish is known to be long and transparent with eyes on long stocks, small eyes, sharp teeth, and photophores all over the body. It has been discovered that it is able to emit and perceive red or blue-green light, including near infrared which is barely visible to homo sapiens, unlike all other fish, but most of these fish appear as a blue colour as the wavelength which travels the furthest under water and blue. Also, many marine specimens cannot perceive shorter or longer wavelengths than that of the blue light, as they lack required pigments. With infrared, the fish is able to luminesce to avoid predators and to search for prey without the other organism realizing it, as they cannot perceive infrared wavelengths.

In order to achieve red light, the fish uses filters and fluorescent substance to change from blue to red light: the blue light is absorbed into the fluorescent pigment and is then re-emitted as red light, which is then filtered until the wavelength is just barely visible to other fish. Malacosteids are also capable of perceiving red light through use of a specialized system, as their eyes contain the same pigments of the other fish: red light is absorbed by special sensitizing pigments which capture the energy and transfers it into visual pigment, a secondary pigment similar to that of chlorophyll in photosynthesis.

Species: Lanternfish (Mctophidae)
Physics Application: Lives approximately 300.0 to 700.0 m (1000.0 to 2500.0 ft) below the water surface, but surfaces at night, as well as for spawning. The Lantern fish may be found worldwide, with large eyes, a long, torpedo-like body- 30.0 cm (over 1.0 ft)- and feeds on copepods and amphipods. It possesses several light organs along the body, mostly along the underside, where larger light organs found near the tail on upper and lower glands distinguishes the female. The fish is luminescent as it swims, which lures prey and attracts other fish; one species is known to have photophores on its tongue.

Species: Hatchet Fish (Argyropelecus hemigymes)
Physics Application: A flat, small fish which is wide in the front with a narrow back, with large eyes that may be forward or upward and enable distance judgement of nearby organisms. The Hatchet fish also has a well-developed swim bladder, large jaws, and is silver with blue and red organs which are very reflective. The fish live at a depth of 267.0 to 485.0 m (880.0 to 1600.0 ft) and surfaces to feed on crustaceans and fish. The fish produces green-blue light and may camouflage in the environment.

Species: Cryptopasaras cousei (Anglerfish, "Triplewart Sea Devil")
Physics Application: Females possesses three luminescent carnucles (sacs) in front of the dorsal fin, which aids in attracting the prey.

Species: Linophryne arborifera (Anglerfish, "Toad that fishes with a net")
Physics Application: Only the size of a human infant’s fist, the fish bears a bioluminescent bulb on the top of its head from which there are hanging filaments to lure in the prey.

Species: Grammatostomias flagellibarba ("Lined stomach with a whip-barbel")
Physics Application: Found to be only 15.24 cm (6.0 in) long, however the barbel at its chin may project up to 1.8 m (6.0 ft) long, with two rows of blue-violet luminescent organs along the flanks.

Species: Vampyroteuthis inferalis ("Vampire squid from Hell")
Physics Application: The squid is given credit for possessing the largest eyes of any animal, relative to body size, where a 15.24 cm (6.0 in) squid has eyeballs the size of those of a large dog. It is found at depths of 914.4 m (3000.0 ft) with wing-like fins and photophores on its body.

Species: Caulophryne polynmama ("Grotesque among grotesques")
Physics Application: The name is due to the overbite it possesses and the rod with lure on the top of its head, with three bony hooks to scare fish.

Species: Thaumatichthys axeli ("Prince Axel’s wonder-fish")
Physics Application: Found at depths of 3589.9 m (11778.0ft) with light organ projecting from toothy jaws.