Coelorinchus mirus McCulloch 1926

Other Names: Gargoyle Fish, Gargoylefish, Small-eye Rattail

Coelorinchus-mirus. Source: Coelorinchus-mirus. License:

Summary:

In Australian waters, the Gargoyle Fish is one of the most abundant members of the genus Coelorinchus. The species lives in relatively shallow depths on the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. & G. Frankham, Coelorinchus mirus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 26 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/3606

Coelorinchus mirus McCulloch 1926

More Info

Distribution	Endemic to Australian waters; demersal on continental shelf and upper slope at depths between 100-500 m, most commonly between 300-400m off WA, and between 200-400m off NSW.
Features	D II, 9-10; P 17-19; V 7; GR 7-8 total BR; PC about 40 Snout short, broad, pointed in dorsal view, tipped with small tubercle, area dorsally behind leading edge naked, anterolateral margins incompletely supported by bone; eye large, diameter much greater than snout and postorbital length; underside of snout and most of suborbital naked, lower jaw and underside of preopercle scaled posteriorly, nasal fossa and area immediately behind dorsal leading edges of snout naked. Body scales with 9-20 parallel rows of small spinules. Anus before anal-fin origin by 1 or 2 scales. Naked fossa of light organ large, extending forward from anus to between pelvic-fin bases or beyond.
Size	Reaches a total length of 30 cm.
Colour	Overall pale brownish to grey dorsally, whitish below with prominent scattered peppering on underside of head and abdomen; juveniles with 10-12 dark saddle marks, lost in adults; mouth and gill cavity dark, lips and barbel pale. First dorsal fin dusky, anal fin pale anteriorly, distal margin blackish posteriorly, pelvic fin whitish with prominent black blotch in middle of fin, pectoral fin with small black spot at ventral corner.
Fisheries	The Gargoyle Fish is caught at night by prawn trawlers working off northern NSW.
Conservation	Not assessed.
Species Citation	Coelorhynchus (Paramacrurus) mirus McCulloch, 1926, Biol. Res. Endeavour 5(4): 178, pl. 46, east of Sydney, NSW.
Author	Bray, D.J. & G. Frankham

Coelorinchus mirus McCulloch 1926

References

Iwamoto, T. & P.J. McMillan. 2008. Macrouridae. In Gomon, M.F., D.J. Bray & R.H. Kuiter. Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast. New Holland Publishers & Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, p. 1-928.

Iwamoto, T. & Williams, A. 1999. Grenadiers (Pisces, Gadiformes) from the continental slope of western and northwestern Australia. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 51(3): 105-243, figs. 1-58.