Abyssal grenadier

Species of fish

The abyssal grenadier, Coryphaenoides armatus, is an abyssal fish of the genus Coryphaenoides, found in all the world's oceans, at depths between Its adult length is , although Fishbase

Coryphaenoides armatus occurs at the deep slope, on the upper continental rise between 2,000 m and 4,700 m. However, they have been observed at depths between 282 m and 5180 m. Its diet changes as it matures, from benthic invertebrates such as crustaceans and holothuroids when young to mesopelagic and bathypelagic fish, sea urchins and cephalopods when adult. The sensory specialty of C. armatus also changes over its lifecycle; juveniles are more reliant on sight than olfaction, but developed adults are considered to be olfactory specialists. Very few ripe females, and no spent individuals have been collected, and this is suggestive of this species being semelparous.

C. armatus' diet is mainly composed of mid water cephalopods and fishes but can also consume echinoderms. Examination of the stomach contents of specimens collected by trawling below 2,600 m deep in the Hudson Canyon showed that an important proportion of the diet of C. armatus is caught in the deep mesopelagic and bathypelagic regions. Though the diet of C. armatus largely consists of animals, these fish have been observed to opportunistically consume phytodetritus, especially in regions where phytodetritus falls are more common. This finding was supported by researchers who found a positive correlation between increased swim speed in months with increased levels of benthic nutrient enrichment via marine snow. Research studies focused on the feeding and foraging habits of C. armatus has revealed that this species follows an active foraging strategy consistent with the optimal foraging theory. C. armatus has been observed to maintain low metabolic rates and slow aerobic activity in their foraging; these behaviors are thought to reflect a need to conserve energy due to the extreme environmental conditions and food scarcity that exists in C. armatus' natural habitats.