Beaked salmon

Beaked salmons
(image here)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Gonorhynchiformes Family: Gonorynchidae Genus: Gonorynchus
Species G. abbreviatus G. forsteri G. gonorynchus G. greyi G. moseleyi

The beaked salmon (also beaked sandfish) is a type of long thin ray-finned fish that lives on sandy bottoms near shorelines[?]. The several known species are all in the single genus Gonorynchus (sometimes spelled Gonorhynchus) of the family Gonorynchidae (sometimes spelled Gonorhynchidae). All have a distinctive angular snout that is used to dig themselves into the sand, and inspires the name.

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.

Beaked salmons 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 flavor". [1] (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=12749&genusname=Gonorynchus&speciesname=greyi)

External link

• FishBase info for Gonorynchidae (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/FamilySummary.cfm?ID=101)
• FishBase pictures of Gonorynchidae (http://www.fishbase.org/identification/specieslist.cfm?famcode=101&areacode=)