Family Macrouridae - Grenadiers or rattails

  Order
:
  Class
:
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
  No. of Genera in Ref
:
38
  No. of Species in Ref
:
285
  Environment
:
Fresh : No | Brackish : No | Marine : Yes
  Aquarium
:
none
  First Fossil Record
:
lower   Tertiary   upper   Eocene
Ref..   Berg, L.S. 1958
  Remark
:
Distribution: Arctic to Antarctic, in deep water. Body attenuated posteriorly. Anal fin and second dorsal confluent with tail, which tapers to a sharp point. True fin spines lacking. Leading dorsal fin ray may be spinous. Usually with chin barbel. Pelvic fin insertion more or less thoracic. Pelvic fin rays 5-17; lacking in Macrouroides. No caudal fin, except in one species. Scales small. Light organ, if present, underneath skin along midline of abdomen with opening just before anus. Branchiostegal rays 6-8. Abdominal vertebrae 10-16. Maximum length usually 0.8 m. Mostly benthopelagic, occurring from 200-2000 m.
  Etymology
:
Greek, makros = great + Greek, oura = tail ( Ref. 45335).
  Division
:
Marine
  Reproductive guild
:
nonguarders
  Typical activity level
:
normal
  Main Ref
:
  Coordinator
:

Show species | Nominal species list for Macrouridae | Identification keys | CAS specimen photos | References

Ref.
[ e.g. 9948]                       
Glossary
                    [ e.g. cephalopods]

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