Gill separates the "three-forked hake" (Raniceps trifurcus) of northern Europe as a distinct family, Ranicipitidæ. In this species the head is very large, broad and depressed, differing in this regard from the codlings and hakes, which have also two dorsal fins. The deep-water genus, Bathyonus, is also regarded as a distinct family, Bathyonidæ.
The Hakes: Merluciidæ.—Better defined than these families is the family of hakes, Merluciidæ. These pike-like codfishes have the skull peculiarly formed, the frontal bones being paired, excavated above, with diverging crests continuous forward from the forked occipital crest. The species are large fishes, very voracious, without barbels, with the skeleton papery and the flesh generally soft. The various species are all very much alike, large, ill-favored fishes with strong teeth and a ragged appearance, the flesh of fair quality. Merluccius merluccius, the hake or stock-fish, is common in Europe; Merluccius bilinearis, the silver hake, is common in New England, Merluccius productus in California, and Merluccius gayi in Chile.
Fig. 492.—California Hake, Merluccius productus (Ayres). Seattle.
Fig. 493.—Coryphænoides carapinus (Goode & Bean), showing leptoceral tail. Gulf Stream.
The Grenadiers: Macrouridæ.—The large family of grenadiers, or rat-tails, Macrouridæ, is confined entirely to the oceanic depths, especially of the north Atlantic and Pacific. The head is formed much as in the codfishes, with usually a barbel at the chin. There are two dorsals, the second like the anal being low, but the leptocercal tail is very long and tapering, ending in a filament without caudal fin. The scales are usually rough and spinous. The species are usually large in size, and dull gray or black in color.
Fig. 494.—Grenadier, Cœlorhynchus carminatus Goode & Bean. Martha's Vineyard.
The best-known genus is Macrourus. Macrourus berglax is found on both shores of the north Atlantic. Macrourus bairdi is abundant in off-shore dredgings from Cape Cod to Cuba. Macrourus cinereus, the pop-eye grenadier, outnumbers all other fishes in the depths of Bering Sea. Cœlorhynchus japonicus is often taken by fishermen in Japan. Coryphænoides rupestris is common in the north Atlantic. Bogoslovius clarki and Albatrossia pectoralis were dredged by the Albatross about the volcanic island of Bogoslof. Trachyrhynchus trachyrhynchus is characteristic of the Mediterranean. Nematonurus goodei is common in the Gulf Stream, and Dolloa longifilis is found off Japan. Other prominent genera are Bathygadus, Gadomus, Regania, and Steindachnerella.