Teleostei (teleosts) >
Gadiformes (Cods) >
Macrouridae (Grenadiers or rattails)
Etymology: Ventrifossa: Latin, venter, ventris = belly + Latin, fosa = pit (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Smith.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; non-migratory; depth range 395 - 960 m (Ref. 11953). Deep-water; 18°S - 38°S, 25°E - 40°E (Ref. 1371)
Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique to Durban, South Africa (Ref. 2800).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 41.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 1371)
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Anal spines: 0. Pyloric caeca 29 to 37. Scales fairly large with conical spinules arranged in widely divergent V rows or in quincunx pattern. Snout with a black margin along its leading edge only; first dorsal fin with black stripe on membrane between second spinous ray and first branched ray, otherwise generally dusky.
Feeds primarily on fish (including Bregmaceros) and squid, but polychaetes and Pagurids crabs have also been found in the stomach (Ref. 1371).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Cohen, D.M., T. Inada, T. Iwamoto and N. Scialabba, 1990. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 10. Gadiform fishes of the world (Order Gadiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of cods, hakes, grenadiers and other gadiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(10). Rome: FAO. 442 p. (Ref. 1371)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 9.6 - 11.3, mean 10.6 °C (based on 6 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00219 (0.00111 - 0.00431), b=3.20 (3.03 - 3.37), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.0 ±0.53 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (31 of 100).