Pink cusk-eel (Genypterus blacodes)

Scientific name: Genypterus blacodes Forster, 1801

The Pink cusk-eel (Genypterus blacodes) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae. Native range: Southwest Pacific, southern Australia and around New Zealand. Southeast Pacific: Chile. Southwest Atlantic: Brazil.

Biology

Common species. Found between depths of 22 m and 1000 m. Feed mainly on crustaceans such as Munida and scampi and also on fish. Also caught above the bottom when feeding on hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) during the hoki spawning season. Available all year round. Juveniles are found in shallower shelf waters. Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass. Utilized fresh, frozen or smoked; can be fried and baked.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Genypterus blacodes
Family: Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order: Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 200
Common length: 100.0
Depth range: 22–1000 m (72–3281 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; oceanodromous; depth range 22 - 1000 m, usually 300 - 550 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Southwest Pacific: southern Australia and around New Zealand. Southeast Pacific: Chile. Southwest Atlantic: Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.1-0.23; tmax=30; tm=5-7)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026