The name, Nyctiphanes australis, means southern winking light and refers to the bioluminescence produced by a series of photophore organs along the length of the body. The animal is transparent with large compound eyes and basket like front legs (pereiopods) used in feeding. The abdominal legs (pleopods) are used for swimming.

Pelagic (in the water column), planktonic. When abundant it can be found at the surface during the daytime, causing the water to appear reddish.

Nyctiphanes australis feeds primarily on phytoplankton but it will also feed on zooplankton, detritus, flocculent organic matter and faeces. In doing so, it plays a key role in recycling organic matter, which would otherwise sink to the bottom, back into flesh available for higher order predators.

Nyctiphanes form large swarms near the Otago coast and are eaten by a wide variety of marine animals.

http://www.imas.utas.edu.au/zooplankton/image-key/malacostraca/euphausiacea/nyctiphanes-australis