Kermadec rattail

Taxobox
name = Kermadec rattail


image_caption = Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Gadiformes
familia = Macrouridae
genus = "Caelorinchus"
species = "C. kermadecus"
binomial = "Caelorinchus kermadecus"
binomial_authority = Jordan & Gilbert, 1904The Kermadec rattail, "Caelorinchus kermadecus", is a rattail of the genus "Caelorinchus", found around New Zealand including the Kermadec Islands at depths of between 1,100 and 1,200 m. Its length is about 40 cm.

The Kermadec rattail has the usual greatly elongated pointed tail of the rattails, as well as large eyes and ridges from the conical snout above and below the eyes back to the operculum. From the higher row on each side, for the rest of the fish's length, there is a slightly enlarged row of scale spines. It has a very small chin barbel and a longer first dorsal fin ray.

The colour is brown, with a blue-black patch over the abdomen, and black fins.

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