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Blotch Whiptail Coelorinchus maculatus Gilbert & Hubbs, 1920
[CAAB 37 232044]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Indo-West Pacific, off Australia; bathydemersal on continental slope at 392-545 m.

Size:

To more than 26 cm TL.

Food and feeding:

Reproduction and early life history:

Characteristics:

D II, 8-9; P 14-16; V 7; GR (inner) 7-8; BR 6; PC
Snout relatively short, acutely pointed in lateral view, broadly convex sides in dorsal view with small terminal scute, anterolateral margin completely supported by bone. Mouth small, upper jaw extending to below hind third of orbit. Underside of head completely naked with broad, naked translucent areas dorsally behind leading edges of snout; nasal fossa naked. Body scales large, thin, rather deciduous, with small, sharp spinules aligned in 3-4 ridgelike rows; scale pockets on dorsal surfaces darkly marked along edges. Scales of head ridges relatively weak and moderately spinulated. Anterior rays of second dorsal fin relatively well developed. Anus before anal-fin origin by several scale rows. Light organ extending forward from naked periproct region around anus to a line connecting bases of outer pelvic fins or slightly beyond, visible externally as a black streak, slightly expanded anterior end forming shallow scale-covered fossa.

Colour:

Chest and abdomen, dark bluish/black venrally, sides silvery to whitish; small to moderately large, vertically elongated dark blotch above and immediately behind base of pectoral fin; numerous faint saddle marks posteriorly; most fins light dusky, elongated spinous dorsal ray blackish; pelvic fins dusky to blackish with outer ray paler, median nasal process dark.

Similar species:

Fisheries:

Conservation Status:

Remarks:

Other common names:

Original citation:

Coelorinchus (Paramacrurus) maculatus Gilbert & Hubbs 1920, Bull. U.S. Natl. Mus.  100(7): 446, fig. 9, off south Luzon Island, Batangas Bay, between Gillolo and Makyan Island, Philippines, Albatross sta. 5621, 214-298 fm.

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.