Skip to content

Goobala Whiptail Coelorinchus goobala Iwamoto & Williams, 1999
[CAAB 37 232108]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Endemic Australian species; bathydemersal on continental slope at 300-582 m.

Size:

To 35 cm TL.

Food and feeding:

Reproduction and early life history:

Characteristics:

D II, 8-9; P 14-17; V 7; GR (inner) 7-8; BR 6; PC
Snout long, slender, sharply pointed in young specimens, shorter and blunter in adults, tipped with a slender terminal scute, anterolateral margins incompletely supported by bone. Mouth small, upper jaw length; jaws with no enlarged teeth, upper jaw teeth in broad short bands, lower jaw teeth in long narrow band; gill membranes broadly attached to isthmus, moderately restricting gill openings; chin barbel short, tapering to a fine tip. Underside of head and nasal fossa completely naked; body scales with conical spinules. Light organ short, poorly defined, positioned in front of anus.

Colour:

In preservative - light brownish, underside of head mostly cream, extending onto gill membranes; tip of snout with light dusting of fine spot; mouth, lips and gums cream; abdomen darker and somewhat violet ,tinged with darker colour extending posteriorly and ventrally onto tail; first dorsal fin dusky, tipped with black, blackish colour more extensive in some smaller specimens; pectoral fins dusky overall, upper edge dark, base pale; pelvic fin creamy white with a faint speckling in some specimens.

Similar species:

Fisheries:

Conservation Status:

Remarks:

Other common names:

Original citation:

Coelorinchus goobala Iwamoto & Williams 1999, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 51(3): [138, fig.11, Northwest Shelf off Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 17°37'S, 118°40'E.

Etymology:

References:

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.