Mataeocephalus acipenserinus (Gilbert & Cramer, 1897)
Sturgeon grenadier
Mataeocephalus acipenserinus
photo by FAO

Family:  Macrouridae (Grenadiers or rattails)
Max. size:  22.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 400 - 1300 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific, tropical waters: from the Indian Ocean to Sala y Gomez; north to Hawaii; south to New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Anal spines: 0-0. Snout long, sharply pointed, with a prominent, bifid, terminal scute; underside of the head almost entirely naked. Body scales with short, conical, posteriorly directed, spinules arranged in 4 to 6 parallel rows. Periproct moderate-sized, pear-shaped to oval, midway between the pelvic and anal fins; usually with a small black fossa anterior to anus.
Biology:  Found on the continental slope (Ref. 75154). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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