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Most species small, averaging 15-30 cm, but a few grow to over 60 cm. Several genera and over 20 species in New Zealand waters. A commonly caught species, the javelin fish (Lepidorhynchus denticulatus) can be distinguished from most other grenadiers by its silvery body, and from hoki by its black ventral surface and blunt snout. Grenadiers or macrourids can be an important trawl by-catch and are generally captured in waters deeper than 200 m. The largest group of grenadier species are the rattails (Coelorinchus spp), abundant in 200-800 m, together with the javelin fish. They are potentially commercial, but macrourids are probably more important as food for other fish. Resource size (all species combined) unknown but possibly large, capable of an annual yield of 10,000-20,000 tonnes.

Average length 40-60 cm, average weight 2.5 kg. Blue-grey above and silvery-white below, head dark, with a coloured point extending towards dorsal fin; and some spots along the side; fewer in large fish; skin pitted. More slender shape than the blue and white warhous. Silver warehou is found mainly on the Chatham Rise, the outer Canterbury Bight, the South Island west coast and the shelf edge south east of Stewart Island in 300-500 m. Caught by trawling and are available all year round. Moderate resources.

Average size about 40 cm, weighing 400 gm. Grey, faintly bluish above, with many small black spots, silver-white below; small, loose scales. Distinguished from small hake by three dorsal and two anal fins, but similar to some other deepwater cads. Deepwater, mainly demersal, but becoming increasingly pelagic in the spring spawning season. Abundant south of New Zealand on the Campbell Plateau and Pukaki Rise in 300-600 m. Caught by trawling. Main catching season during the spawning season, August to early October. A very large resource, probably capable of yielding up to 50,000 tonnes per annum.