Blackfin grenadier (Coelorinchus caribbaeus)

Scientific name: Coelorinchus caribbaeus Goode & Bean, 1885

The Blackfin grenadier (Coelorinchus caribbaeus) is a marine fish of the family Macrouridae. Native range: Western Central Atlantic, Cape Hatteras, USA to northern Brazil. Absent in Straits of Florida, uncommon to the north and along Antillean chain.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-39. Head large; eyes large; snout pointed; body tapering to a point posteriorly from behind the first dorsal-fin base; light organ large, a broadly lenticular to oval black naked fossa between and somewhat anterior to the pelvic fin bases; scales covered with fine conical spinules except posteriorly and ventrally on trunk and tail where the spinules are broader; color is swarthy overall with a silvery tinge over the abdomen and gill covers in fresh specimens.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Coelorinchus caribbaeus
Family: Macrouridae (Grenadiers or rattails)
Order: Gadiformes (Cods)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 45.0
Depth range: 200–700 m (656–2297 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; non-migratory; depth range 200 - 700 m, usually 300 - 400 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Western Central Atlantic: Cape Hatteras, USA to northern Brazil. Absent in Straits of Florida, uncommon to the north and along Antillean chain.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026