#macrouridae

Giant Grenadier (Albatrossia pectoralis), family Macrouridae, off the coast of Alaska

Ghostly Grenadier Coryphaenoides leptolepis

A species of rattail found in the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at depths of 610 to 4,000 metres.

Least Concern

Roundnose Grenadier Coryphaenoides rupestris

The roundnose grenadier is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean at depths between 400 and 1,200 m (1,300 and 3,900 ft) and occasionally at much greater depths. It is commercially fished by several European countries. In the UK it is protected and it was suggested that if no actions to conserve the fish were taken, it would become extinct within the next 10 years.

Critically Endangered

Abyssal Grenadier (Coryphaenoides armatus), family Macrouridae, in the depths of the Gulf of Alaska

Near Endeavour Ridge (at about 2300m depth), ROPOS encountered this rattail fish.

Rattail fish (also known as grenadiers) are deep sea fish with almost 400 different species that live anywhere from 200 and 6,000 metres (660-20,000 feet) deep, and can grow anywhere between 10 cm and 1.5 metres long.

The male have unique muscles attached to their gas bladders, which are believed to be used to make loud sounds to attract mates.

Researchers recommends that consumers do not purchase or eat grenadier because the fish grow very slowly and may not reproduce until they are 30 or 40 years old.

ROPOS (http://ropos.com) is operated by the Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility