ANIMAL SPECIES:Blue Grenadier, Macruronus novaezelandiae (Hector, 1871)
The Blue Grenadier is a benthic species in temperate marine waters of Australia and New Zealand. Juveniles are found inshore, while adults are found in continental slope waters.
Alternative Name/s
The Blue Grenadier has also been called the Blue Hake, Hoki and New Zealand Whip-tail.Identification
The Blue Grenadier is an elongate, compressed fish that tapers to a point. The second dorsal, anal and caudal fins are all joined. It has a large mouth and tiny deciduous scales.
The species is silvery with a purplish or bluish-green tinge above. The fins of live fish are dark blue.
Size range
It grows to about 1.1 m in length and a weight of about 6 kg.Distribution
The species occurs in temperate marine waters of Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is known from off central New South Wales to south-eastern Western Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Blue Grenadier specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The Blue Grenadier is a benthic species that is found inshore as juveniles and in continental slope waters at depths from 450 m to 800 m as adults.
Living with us
Economic/social impacts
The Blue Grenadier is a commercially important species.
Classification
- Species:
- novaezelandiae
- Genus:
- Macruronus
- Family:
- Merlucciidae
- Order:
- Gadiformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & R.D. Ward. 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook, an identification guide to domestic species. CSIRO Marine Research. Pp. 461.
Would you like to add a comment?
Sign up to add comments and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Would you like to add a tag?
Sign up to add tags and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Blue Grenadier, Macruronus novaezelandiae View full size
Robin McPhee, NORFANZ
© Robin McPhee, NORFANZ
The head of a Blue Grenadier, Macruronus novaezelandiae View full size
Robin McPhee, NORFANZ
© Robin McPhee, NORFANZ
Support us
Your support will have a real impact.
Online Shop
Great gifts.
Australian Museum Members
Join today.
Australian Museum Business Services
Professional consulting.
Museum as a Venue
Unique spaces.
Media Resources
Contact Publicity.
2 comments
Mark McGrouther
7.08 PM, 08 August 2011
Hi Jen. You were right to question the identification. The fish on the Austmus Deep Oceans Discoveries site are not Blue Grenadiers, but rather a species of Blobfish (family Psychrolutidae). The most famous of which is the much-loved Mr Blobby.
Jen Cork
12.08 PM, 08 August 2011
Question Dr Mark, any help with an ID of these fish?? The original blog post said Grenadier Fish.... Would like an expert opinion though.
http://austmusdeepoceans.tumblr.com/post/8626529911/mekelhorn-grenadier-fish-3-mr-blobbys
Report misuse