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Spearnose Whiptail Coelorinchus acutirostris Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
[CAAB 37 232010]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Tropical Western Central Pacific, including the Philippines, northern Australia; possibly throughout Indonesia. Benthopelagic on upper continental slope at 250-480 m, in Australian waters most common in 250-350 m.

Size:

To 24 cm TL.

Food and feeding:

Reproduction and early life history:

Characteristics:

D II,7-10 (usually 8 or 9); P i15-i17; GR (inner) 6-8.
Body long, slender; snout very slender, attenuate, sharply tipped, about half head length, anterolateral margin completely supported by bone; underside of head completely naked; nasal fossa usually naked, but some specimens with small scattered scales. Upper jaw short, restricted laterally, extending to below posterior one-third of orbit, with short, broad tooth band; lower jaw tooth band longer, narrower, restricted laterally; chin barbel short, fine. Body scales small, covered with conical erect spinules in 5-7 slightly divergent rows. Fossa of light organ a long blackish, scale-covered streak extending from isthmus to just before anus.

Colour:

Body with distinctive, dark, often faint horizontal streak on belly from pectoral fin base to above anal fin origin; a curved dark streak (often faint) below base of first dorsal fin from nape to second dorsal fin; chest and vent areas darkly spotted to black.

Similar species:

Fisheries:

Conservation Status:

Remarks:

Other common names:

Original citation:

Coelorhynchus acutirostris Smith & Radcliffe, 1912, Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus. 43(1924): 134, pl. 30(2), between Cebu and Bohol, Philippines, 10° 08 '50"N, 123° 52 '30"E.

Etymology:

References:

Iwamoto, T. 1999. Order Gadiformes. In Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem. Species identification guide for fisheries purposes. The living marine resources of the western central Pacific. Batoid fishes, chimeras and bony fishes part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). FAO, Rome.

Iwamoto, T. & Williams, A. 1999. Grenadiers (Pisces, Gadiformes) from the continental slope of western and northwestern Australia. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 51(3): 105-243, figs. 1-58.

Merrett, N.R. & T. Iwamoto. 2000. Pisces Gadiformes: Grenadier fishes of the New Caledonian region, southwest Pacific Ocean. Taxonomy and distribution, with ecological notes, pp. 723-781 In Crosnier, R. (ed). Résultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM, 21. Mem. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 184.