Nezumia sclerorhynchus (Valenciennes, 1838) 

Roughtip grenadier

Nezumia sclerorhynchus:  Image courtesy of SEARS Foundation for Marine Research (drawing by M.H. Carrington, in N.B. Marshall and T. Iwamato, 1973).

The species Nezumia sclerorhynchus of the family Macrouridae has been recorded in the Atlantic from the Azores, Madeira and off Morocco, south to the Gulf of Guinea and in the western North Atlantic.  Therefore, its distribution only overlaps with the southern limits of the study area. They are considered benthopelagic and have been found at depths from 500 to 3,200 m (Whitehead et al., 1986a).

Nezumia sclerorhynchus has a high, blunt and rough snout, hence it's common name of roughtip grenadier. The mouth is  inferior.  The general colour is violet with the chest a deeper blue, and the mouth and gill areas blacker.  The length ranges to over 30 cm  (Whitehead et al., 1986a).

During the present survey Nezumia sclerorhynchus was recorded swimming in the vicinity of the Galicia Bank.

Nezumia sclerorhynchus appears to be of some commercial importance.

There is more information available for this species on FishBase.

Prepared by: Ecological Consultancy Services Ltd www.ecoserve.ie