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Bighead Whiptail Coryphaenoides rudis Günther, 1878
[CAAB 37 232019]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Rare, but widely distributed in Indo-west-central Pacfic and subtropical and tropical Atlantic; bathypelagic on outer slope in 1000-2400 m.

Size:

one of the largest macrourid species reaching more than 1.2 m TL

Food and feeding:

Larger fish known to feed on cephalopods.

Reproduction and early life history:

juveniles differ frm adults in having more protruding snout and larger orbit.

Characteristics:

1D II, 9-11, A , C - P i16-i21, V8-11 (usually 9-10), GR-I (total, outer/inner series) 3-4/9-10, GR-II 7-10/9-10, BR 6, PC 12-16.
Head broad, width about two-thirds its length, ridges lacking large, stout, modified scales; orbit small; snout short, blunt, low, completely scaled, tipped with inconspicuous tubercular scales, nasal fossa naked, also a small naked area near snout tip; mouth large, slightly subterminal, upper jaw reaching below posterior margin of orbit; upper jaw teeth in moderately broad band, outer series enlarged, lower jaw teeth in 1-3 irregular rows; chin barbel slender, outer gill slit greatly restricted; spinous second ray of first dorsal fin serrated along leading edge, pelvic fin bases anterior to first dorsal and pectoral fin bases; body scales small, relatively adherent, densely covered with small, short conical spinules in subparalel rows; lateral line descending in broad curve behind head. anus immediately before anal fin origin, light organ absent.

Colour:

Overall brown or greyish brown; fins somewhat darker.

Similar species:

Fisheries:

of potential interest to fisheries

Conservation Status:

Remarks:

Other common names:

Bighead Grenadier, Rudis Rattail

Original citation:

Coryphaenoides rudis

Günther, A. (1878). Preliminary notice of deep-sea fishes collected during the

voyage of H.M.S. Challenger. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5)2(2): 17-28 [24]

Type locality:  Pacific, north of Kermadec Island

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

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 1-1 14

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2007. FishBase
World Wide Web electronic publication
www.fishbase.org, version (05/2007).