Skip to content

Longray Whiptail Coryphaenoides subserrulatus Makushok, 1976
[CAAB 37 232016]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Circumglobal in temperate waters, on seamounts and ridges of southern Indian Ocean, off both coasts of southern Africa, and both sides of South America; benthopelagic at 400-1200 m, usually at 800-1000 m.

Size:

To 37 cm TL.

Food and feeding:

Reproduction and early life history:

Characteristics:

D II, 9-11; P 13-18; V 7; GR(inner) 16-19; PC 12-14
Head short, eye longer than snout; snout short, slightly protruding, terminal and lateral tips with stout spiny scute; underside of snout naked, dorsal surface partly naked; suborbital with ridge of stout, coarsely thickened scales; chin barbel rudimentary, scarcely visible. Upper jaw teeth in narrow band, outer series slightly enlarged; lower jaw teeth in single row. Body scales densely covered with greatly reclined, broadly lanceolate spinules. Upper pectoral-fin ray and outer pelvic-fin ray extremely elongated, much longer than head.

Colour:

Overall silvery, sides of body with irridescent green tinge, fins dusky to blackish, mouth and gill cavities dark.

Similar species:

Fisheries:

Trawled as bycatch in commercial fisheries and of minor commercial importance.

Conservation Status:

Remarks:

Other common names:

Four-rayed Rattail, Longrayed Whiptail, Long-rayed Whiptail, Subserrulate Whiptail

Original citation:

Coryphaenoides subserrulatus Makushok, 1976, Okeanol. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 104: 144, figs. 1-6, south of New Zealand, off Campbell Plateau 52°20'S, 166°13'E.

Etymology:

References:

Iwamoto, T. 1990. Family Macrouridae, pp. 90-318 In Cohen, D. M., T. Inada, T. Iwamoto & N. Scialabba (eds.) FAO Species Catalogue. Gadiform fishes of the world (order Gadiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of cods, hakes, grenadiers and other gadiforms fishes known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, Rome: FAO Vol. 10, 442 pp.

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.