Malacocephalus laevis

Malacocephalus laevis, Softhead Grenadier. Source: FAO 1990.
Malacocephalus laevis, Softhead Grenadier.
Source: FAO 1990.
Malacocephalus laevis, Softhead Grenadier. Source: FAP 2002.
Malacocephalus laevis, Softhead Grenadier.
Source: FAO 2002.
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
MacrouridaeMalacocephalus laevis(Lowe)1843Softhead Grenadier

All Malacocephalus Species: Anus surrounded by a broad margin of naked skin or far removed from anal fin. Branchiostegal rays 7. Teeth in lower jaw enlarged, in 1 row. A large, bean-shaped fossa between bases of pelvic fins. Scale rows present over lower branchiostegal rays.

Malacocephalus laevis

Unique Characters: Pelvic-fin rays 9; premaxillary teeth in 2 distinct rows; spinous dorsal-fin ray smooth; no black margins on snout.

Similar Species:

Malacocephalus occidentalis, Western Softhead Grenadier

Western Softhead Grenadier Malacocephalus occidentalis. Pelvic-fin rays 8; premaxillary teeth in more than 2 rows; spinous dorsal-fin ray serrated; tip and leading edge of snout blackish

Malacocephalus occidentalis, Western Softhead Grenadier. Source: FAO 2002.
Malacocephalus occidentalis, Western Softhead Grenadier.
Source: FAO 2002.

Reference

FAO 1990. (Cohen, D.M., Inada, T., Iwamoto, T., 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 Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, Volume 10. 442 pp.