| Graceful grenadier | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gadiformes |
| Family: | Macrouridae |
| Genus: | Hymenocephalus |
| Species: | H. gracilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Hymenocephalus gracilis Gilbert & Hubbs, 1920 |
|
The graceful grenadier (Hymenocephalus gracilis) is a species of rattail. It is found at depths of up to 345 m in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide.
This is one of the smallest of the rattails, growing to no more than 13 cm in length. It is a slender fish with a large mouth, with rows of very small teeth, positioned in the underside of the skull. There is a short, thin chin barbel. It is more strikingly marked than most rattails, with bold black streaks on the head and black and silver barring over most of the body. There is a long bioluminescent organ with two lenses underneath the rear end of the body.