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Bigsnout Whiptail Coelorinchus macrorhynchus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
[CAAB 37 232110]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Western Central Pacific off the Philippines, Borneo and Australia; bathydemersal on continental slope at 329-759 m.

Size:

To more than 44 cm TL.

Food and feeding:

Reproduction and early life history:

Characteristics:

D II, 8-9; P i16-19; V 7; GR (inner) 8-10; BR 6; PC
Snout long, about half head length, slender, pointed; diamond-shaped scute at tip, anterolateral margins completely supported by bone. Upper jaw teeth in a broad band, no teeth enlarged; lower jaw teeth in long narrow band; chin barbel small, slender. Scales on snout with few relatively broad-bladed, adnate spinules in one or few serrated, crest like rows, underside of head uniformly scaled except for a narrow margin above upper jaws, nasal fossa with small scales except immediately anterior to nostrils. Body scales with 5-4 divergent rows of broad-based overlapping spinules. Fins lacking any notably produced rays; first and second dorsal fins low, latter inconspicuous over most of length, somewhat higher posteriorly. Anus immediately before anal-fin origin; light organ very short, externally visible as a black streak extending forward from anus to about midway to pelvic-fin bases.

Colour:

Overall swarthy to black; fins, mouth, and gill cavities blackish; gums, gill arches, and rakers dark or blackish, peritoneum black; most of the spinules of head and body scales black.

Similar species:

Fisheries:

Conservation Status:

Remarks:

Other common names:

Original citation:

Coelorhynchus macrorhynyhus Smith & Radcliffe in Radcliffe, 1912, Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus. 43(1924): 127, pl. 29(1), Verde Island Passage, Luzon, Philippines.

Etymology:

References:

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

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.