Gonorynchus is a genus of long thin gonorynchiformray-finned fish, commonly called beaked salmonorbeaked sandfish. They live on sandy bottoms near shorelines of the temperate & subtropical Southern Hemisphere and East Asia. There are five known extantspecies which are placed in this genus.[1] All have a distinctive angular snout (hence the name) that the fish use to dig themselves into the sand. A swim bladder is absent.[2]
They are the last surviving members of the ancient family Gonorynchidae, which was much more diverse in the past. Unlike other gonorynchids, there have been no known fossil remains of Gonorynchus identified, although they are assumed to have diverged from their closest relative (the extinct Notogoneus) during the Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous.[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.
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]
