Thorntooth grenadier

Taxobox
name = Thorntooth grenadier


image_caption = Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Gadiformes
familia = Macrouridae
genus = "Lepidorhynchus"
species = "L. denticulatus"
binomial = "Lepidorhynchus denticulatus"
binomial_authority = Richardson, 1846

The thorntooth grenadier or javelin fish, "Lepidorhynchus denticulatus" , is a rattail, the only member of the genus "Lepidorhynchus", found around southern Australia and New Zealand, at depths of between 200 and 1,000 m. Its length is between 20 to 55 cm.

The thorntooth grenadier has the usual greatly elongated pointed tail of the rattails, as well as moderately large eyes and a hump under the first dorsal fin. The first dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins are rounded and paddle-like. The large mouth contains many sharp canine teeth, suitable for its diet of other smaller fishes, especially lantern fish.

Body colour is pale green above and black below, overlain by a brilliant silver sheen. The scales are densely covered with small spines and there is a small photophore in front of the anus.

References

*
* Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, "Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand", (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8