Spiny icefish
📖 Overview
Common in shallower waters of the continental shelf, especially on banks less than 250 m deep in areas where local upwelling increase food supply . Postlarvae and pelagic juveniles are also found in the upper 100 m . Food consists of fishes and krill. Spawn in winter . Larval pelagic phase is long . Prey to penguins and seals . Utilized as a food fish .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 38 - 42; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 32 - 36. Supraorbital ridge not crenulated. Middle lateral line restricted to caudal peduncle; lower lateral line originating from in front of anal-fin origin to above sixth anal ray. Maxilla extending to below anterior third of eye. Opercular bones with 2 upper and 3 lower spines. Preopercular-mandibular canal not joined to temporal canal. Pelvic fins extending beyond anal-fin origin. In life, pale grey, whitish ventrally. Differentiated by the dorsoventrally oval shape; the prominent distally rounded rostrum, pseudo-rostrum and pseudo-antirostrum; the clearly defined excisura ostii and pseudo-excisura ostii; the acutely constricted collum; and the well developed colliculli. Ontogeny: The excisura ostii and the pseudo-excisura ostii become deeper and the crista inferior becomes less distinct with an increase in the fish size.: elongated; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spiny icefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Spiny icefish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Spiny icefish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 200 - 800 m . Polar; 60°S - 78°S, 180°W - 180°E South Orkney Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaenodraco fasciatus | Regan | 1914 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 16 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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