| Family: |
Channichthyidae (Crocodile icefishes) |
| Max. size: |
40.2 cm TL (male/unsexed); 36.1 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 112 - 154 m |
| Distribution: |
Southern Ocean, Sub-Antarctic: Kerguelen Islands. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 6-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 32-34; Anal soft rays: 29-32; Vertebrae: 55-57. This species is characterized by the following: D VI-VIII,32-34 (total); A 29-32; pectoral-fin rays 20-22; vertebrae: 55-57. It is distinguished by the following characters: interorbital width wide, 4.4-5.4 times in HL, wider than horizontal orbit diameter; eyes moderate in size, orbit 5.4-6.5 times in HL, and 2.6-3.1 in snout length and 1.1-1/4 in interorbital width; posterior edge of maxilla extending below 1/2 of the orbit diameter; two rows of rakers on the lower part of 1st gill arch on ceratobranchial and hypobranchial: 11-17 rakers in anterior row, 6-15 in posterior row, 18-31 total; first dorsal fin high, 3.2-5.1 times in SL, with 1st to 3rd spine longest; fin membrane of D1 not reaching tips of longest spines; well separated dorsal fins, posterior edge of D1 fin membrane not reaching 1st ray base of D2; very developed thick rounded bony plates in anterior part of median lateral line; strong bony tuberculation on frontals, dorsal spines, branchiostegals, pelvic rays, maxilla and dentary. Coloration dark-gray to uniformly blackish. (Ref. 90860, 90861, 90862). |
| Biology: |
A thalassobathyal, and planktivorous species. Stomach contents contain macroplankton, Parathemisto gaudichaudi and Thysanoessa macrura. It matures at about 30 cm TL (27 cm SL) and spawning probably takes place in June-July. Caught by bottom trawls. (Ref. 90860). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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