Family Macrouridae
Grenadier, Rat-tail
|
|
The Macrouridae is a large family of deepwater fish with 27 genera in four subfamilies. They have been recorded in all oceans. There are considered to be 17 genera in three subfamilies in the North East Atlantic. The family is found through an extensive depth range with some species found below 4000 m, however, most species can be found between 500 and 1500 m and are considered benthopelagic. While the family distribution is widespread throughout the study area, species distribution is thought to be more localised (Whitehead et al., 1986a).
Behind a short trunk, the body of the Macrouridae becomes compressed and tapers strongly so as to appear tail like, hence the common name of rat-tail. The head is moderate or bulky, with the mouth terminal to inferior. The teeth are variable but absent from the roof of the mouth (Whitehead et al., 1986a).
During the present survey, the Macrouridae were recorded from video footage of the Porcupine Bank and Bight, the Rockall Bank and around the Darwin Mounds. They were generally observed resting on the seabed and did not appear to be disturbed by the presence of the camera. Species differences were generally too subtle to be identified from camera footage and thus many observations were recorded at family level.
There are a number of Macrouridae species of commercial importance (Whitehead et al., 1986a).
There is more information available for this family in FishBase.
Prepared by: Ecological Consultancy Services Ltd www.ecoserve.ie