Beaked salmon Temporal range: Cretaceous – Recent
[1]
Late
| |
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Gonorynchus greyi | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Gonorynchiformes |
Family: | Gonorynchidae |
Genus: |
Gonorynchus Scopoli ex Gronow, 1777 |
Type species | |
Cyprinus gonorynchus
Linnaeus, 1766
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Gonorynchus is a genus of long thin gonorynchiform ray-finned fish, commonly called beaked salmon or beaked sandfish that live on sandy bottoms near shorelines. There are five known extant species which are placed in this genus. [2] All have a distinctive angular snout (hence the name) that the fish use to dig themselves into the sand. A swim bladder is absent. [3]
The most widespread species is Gonorynchus gonorynchus, found in scattered locations worldwide. It can reach up to 60 cm (24 in) in length. It is a nocturnal fish, feeding on invertebrates at night and burrowing into sand or mud during the day. [1]
Beaked salmon are fished commercially in some areas. The flesh of Gonorynchus greyi, found around Australia and New Zealand, is reported to be "firm and of good flavour". [4]
Source: [5]