Ventrifossa nasuta (Smith, 1935)
Conesnout grenadier
photo by FAO

Family:  Macrouridae (Grenadiers or rattails)
Max. size:  41 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 395 - 960 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique to Durban, South Africa (Ref. 2800).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Anal spines: 0-0. 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.
Biology:  Feeds primarily on fish (including Bregmaceros) and squid, but polychaetes and Pagurids crabs have also been found in the stomach (Ref. 1371).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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