Abyssal Whiptail, Coryphaenoides murrayi Günther 1878

Worldwide; bathypelagic to 2500 metres, usually below 1000 m.

D II, A; P 8-12; V 7-9; GR (inner) 9-11; BR; 6 PC 12.
Head smoothly rounded, compressed, without spiny ridges, fully covered with small, finely spinulated scales and pocked with large open sensory pores; snout not projecting; eye small. Mouth large, terminal, jaws with a single row of large canine teeth, those in jaw much larger; chin barbel absent. Abdomen short, distance from isthmus to anus less than half head length. Spinous ray of first dorsal fin with smooth leading edge; anal and pelvic fins far forward, poorly developed. Body scales small, adherent, with 1-3 small, bristly spinules; lateral-line canal developed only anteriorly, ending near origin of second dorsal fin. Anus within large periproct about midway between pelvic and anal fins; small fossa of light organ slightly in advance of line connecting ventral-fin bases; swimbladder absent;

Colour overall black to swarthy.

Preys on other fishes.

Angle of mouth gape is most often vertical in younger stages but becomes backwardly inclined with age; postlarvae and juveniles are boldly spotted.

Odontomacrurus murrayi Norman 1939, Sci. Repts. John Murray Exped. 7(1): 49, fig. 18, Arabian Sea.