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Kermadec Whiptail Coelorinchus kermadecus Jordan & Gilbert, 1904.
[CAAB 37 232040]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Common in temperate and tropical Southwest Pacific Ocean; Kermadec Islands in New Zealand to south of New Caledonia and Australia; benthopelagic on continental slope in 620-1500 m, mostly in 790-1050 m in Australian waters.

Size:

To about 60 cm TL.

Food and feeding:

Reproduction and early life history:

Characteristics:

D II, 7-9; P i16-i19; V 7; GR 7-9; PC 10-12.
Body elongate, head moderate, ridges not especially coarsely and sharply spined; snout long, sharply pointed, much longer than orbit diameter, anterolateral margin incompletely supported by bone; underside of head covered with small scales, nasal fossa finely scaled ventrally. Body scales with 4-7 more-or-less parallel rows of broadly triangular spinules, middle row the largest. Light organ short, not externally visible.

Colour:

Overall greyish/brown to dark brown, no violet or purplish tinge; fins dusky to blackish; mouth dark grey to blackish, area surrounding anus bluish, but colour not extending to bases of pelvic fins.

Similar species:

Fisheries:

Conservation Status:

Remarks:

Other common names:

Kermadec Rattail

Original citation:

Coelorhynchus kermadecus Jordan, Gilbert & Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Fish Comm. for 1902 22: 619, Kermadec Island.

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. & Graham, K.J. 2001. Grenadiers (Families Bathygadidae and Macrouridae,  Gadiformes, Pisces) of  New South Wales, Australia. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 52(21): 407-509, figs. 1-114.

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.

Iwamoto, T. & Merrett,  N.R. 1997. Pisces Gadiformes; Taxonomy of Grenadiers of the New Caledonian region, southwest Pacific, pp. 473-570 In Crosnier, A (ed.), Résultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM, Volume 18.  Mém. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., 176.

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.