Malacocephalus occidentalis Goode & Bean, 1885
Western softhead grenadier
Malacocephalus occidentalis
photo by Cambraia Duarte, P.M.N. (c)ImagDOP

Family:  Macrouridae (Grenadiers or rattails)
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 140 - 1945 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean: in tropical and warm-temperate waters.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Snout short, narrow, weakly pointed. Chin barbel relatively long, about equal in length to eye diameter. Space between first and second dorsal fins wide. Overall color blackish, upper lateral and leading edge of snout, orbital rims, lower margin of suborbital, lips and gular membrane black.
Biology:  Inhabits warm to temperate waters on the continental slope (Ref. 2683). Feeds on pelagic crustaceans (Ref. 27637).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.