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Semaphore Whiptail Coelorinchus semaphoreus Iwamoto & Merrett, 1997
[CAAB 37 232117]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Tropical Southwestl Pacific, off New Caledonia and Australia; bathydemersal on continental slope at 420-445 m.

Size:

To 34 cm TL.

Food and feeding:

Reproduction and early life history:

Characteristics:

D II, 8-10; P 14-16; V 7; GR (inner) 7-8; BR 6; PC
Body slender, snout long, slender, sharply pointed, tipped with narrow, spear-head shaped scute, anterolateral margins incompletely supported by bone; mouth small to moderate, upper jaw extending to below hind margin of orbits; jaw teeth in bands, a long, broad band in lowe jaw; chin barbel short, finely tapered,. Underside of head completely naked, top of snout scaled except for naked strip on each side medial to anterolateral margin, nasal fossa naked; no naked areas below orbit on suborbital shelf. Body scales large, with numerous low rows of short conical spinules. First dorsal fin low, height less than snout length; pectoral and pelvic fins rather small, not reacing anus. Anus immediately before anal fin. Light organ long, prominent, dilated at each end into oval fossa with shallow connecting groove, extending from anus to thorax just behind isthmus.

Colour:

Overall pale, whitish to silvery ventrally, with no bold markings; chest and around light organ blackish; first dorsal fin pale to white with a prominent black midlateral blotch.

Similar species:

Fisheries:

Conservation Status:

Remarks:

Other common names:

Original citation:

Coelorinchus semaphoreus Iwamoto & Merrett 1997, Mém. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. Paris 176: 503, fig. 14, off north-west point of New Caledonia, 18°57.0'S, 163°12.6'E.

Etymology:

References:

Iwamoto, T. & Merrett, N. 1997. Pisces Gadiformes; Taxonomy of grenadiers of the New Caledonian regions, southwest Pacific. pp. 473-570 In Crosnier, A. (ed.) Résultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM. Mém. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. Paris 176: 1-570.