Blue grenadier (Macruronus novaezelandiae) fish species and information / pictures of Blue grenadier - Macruronus novaezelandiae

Blue grenadier (Macruronus novaezelandiae) fish species information

Scientific Name
Macruronus novaezelandiae

Common Name
Blue grenadier

Biology
Appear to live usually on or near the bottom, but may occasionally move up into mid-waters. Large adult fish generally occur deeper than 400 m, while juveniles may be found in shallower water (Ref. 9072), more commonly found in large estuaries and bays, and may even enter freshwaters (Ref. 1371). Juvenile specimens and especially adults belonging to the American subspecies, have been caught from the coastal zone to 110 m (Ref. 58452). Form schools. Feed primarily on lantern fishes. In New Zealand, it feeds in midwater on small fish, crustaceans and squid. Oviparous, spawn 1 million eggs on the average which are released all at one time (Ref. 6390). Utilized fresh and frozen; can be steamed, fried, cooked in microwave and baked (Ref. 9988). The New Zealand Commercial Hoki fishery of this species has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (http://

Classification

Classified By
Hector, 1871
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Cods (Gadiformes)
Family
Merluccid hakes (Merlucciidae)

Distribution

Region
Southwest Pacific
Distribution
Southwest Pacific: New Zealand and southern Australia.
Range
15°S - 55°S, 111°E - 173°W

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
1000 m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; oceanodromous; depth range 0 - 1000 m (Ref. 26566), usually 200 - 700 m (Ref. 9563)
Trophic Level
4.47 s.e. 0.79 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
120 cm
Common Length
80.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (53 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.12-0.2; tm=3-7; tmax=25; Fec = 1,000,000)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated