Pacific grenadier
📖 Overview
A benthopelagic mid-slope species, that appears to wander off slope bottoms into midwater . Adults feed on small fish, euphausiids, prawns, amphipods and cephalopods . Oviparous, with planktonic larvae .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 122; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 94. Head large, scaled completely except for a narrow ventrolateral strip on snout; eyes also large; snout short, pointed and with tubercular scales along its leading edge; chin with a small chin barbel. Body tapering to a point posteriorly from behind the insertion of the first dorsal-fin spine. Scales adherent, with 3 to 5 divergent rows of coarse spinules. Pyloric caeca 12 to 14. Overall color is gray to grayish-brown in young, turning to dark brown in adults; fins generally dark. Branchiostegal rays: 6-6 .: elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pacific grenadier is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Pacific grenadier is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathydemersal; non-migratory; depth range 300 - 3700 m , usually 900 - 1300 m . Deep-water; 1°C - 4°C ; 62°N - 28°N, 134°E - 115°W North Pacific: northern Japan to Okhotsk and Bering seas, south along North American coasts to northern Mexico.
🌿 Ecology
small fish, euphausiids, prawns, amphipods and cephalopods (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Pacific grenadier is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 203 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pacific grenadier has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Pacific grenadier · Roughscale Grenadier · roughscale rattail |
| 🇫🇷French | grenadier à écailles rudes |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Ibarahige · イバラヒゲ |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Чёрный долгохвост · Черный макрурус |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bogoslovius firmisquamis | Gill & Townsend | 1897 | Synonym |
| Coryphaenoides bonanox | Jordan & Thompson | 1914 | Synonym |
| Coryphaenoides firmisquamis | Gill & Townsend | 1897 | Synonym |
| Hemimacrurus acrolepis | Bean | 1884 | Synonym |
| Macrourus acrolepis | Bean | 1884 | Synonym |
| Macrourus firmisquamis | Gill & Townsend | 1897 | Synonym |
| Macrurus acrolepis | Bean | 1884 | Synonym |
| Macrurus firmisquamis | Gill & Townsend | 1897 | Synonym |
| Nematonurus acrolepis | Bean | 1884 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 48 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Pacific grenadier ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.