Japanese Grenadier

Eyes very large; snout long, sharply pointed, its anterolateral margin completely supported by bone; head ridges prominently demarcated by stout, spiny scales; underside of head scaled. Light organ short. Overall color is grayish to brownish, without prominent markings; mouth cavity gray; gill cavities and distal third of the first dorsal fin blackish.

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Analspines: 0

Larger individuals are found in deeper waters. Feeds on euphausiids, prawns, benthic fishes, isopods, and polychaetes.

Larger individuals are found in deeper waters. Feeds on euphausiids, prawns, benthic fishes, isopods, and polychaetes.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

分布於西北太平洋區，由日本至臺灣東北部及南部海域。

個體較大型，體長可達75公分，軀幹部份可食。捕獲數量甚多，有時可見於魚市場。漁民常於海上作業時，在漁船上充當午餐；小型個體則作為下雜魚。

體延長而側扁，尾長如帶，愈往後愈尖細。鼻骨前側邊緣完全被骨支托。吻部腹面完全被鱗；頭部稜脊發達具特化之強棘鱗，頭部頂端之上枕區鱗棘列數一列。發光器呈短桿狀，自肛門起點延伸至兩腹鰭間。體被強櫛鱗，鱗列3~6列呈放射狀排列，棘刺形狀尖而略呈扁平狀。口腔暗色，鰓膜黑色。

主要棲息於水深300-1,000公尺之泥砂底質的海域，底棲肉食性魚類，以小型蝦蟹為主食。