Antarctic silverfish

📖 Overview

Regarded as the only truly pelagic fish in Antarctic waters . Larvae and postlarvae occur between 0 to 135 m; juveniles 50 to 400 and adults below 400 m . Postlarvae feed mainly on eggs and larvae of copepods; juveniles mainly on copepods, but take also eggs and larvae of euphausiids, polychaetes and chaetognaths . Larger items are ingested with increase in size . Larval pelagic phase is long .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 35 - 38; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 36 - 39; Vertebrae: 52 - 56. Pre-opercular-mandibular canal pores 9 (rarely 10), with 3 (rarely 4) on the mandible. Infraorbital canal with 4+2 pores; lateral line organs (neuromasts) present exposed region between the canal segments, the normal number probably being 4 (rarely 5), but some or all are often missing. Supraorbital canal with 3+1 pores (a second, more posterior pore rarely present in postero-dorsal section); between these 2 supraorbital canal segments is a trough divided by 3 low transverse ridges into 4 shallow depressions; on each ridge is a neuromasts organ. Temporal canal with 1+4 pores; between the 2 segment lies a single exposed neuromast. Supratemporal canal with 1+1 pores; no traces of neuromasts were found in the intervening regions. Color: In life, pink with a silvery hue, the dorsal surface slightly darker. All fins pale, with clear hyaline membranes. The body becomes silvery with a darker dorsum only after death .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Antarctic silverfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Antarctic silverfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Mature females may spawn for the first time from around 7-9 years of age .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 0 - 1000 m . Polar; ? - 2°C ; 60°S - 78°S, 180°W - 180°E South Shetland, Elephant, South Orkney islands, Weddell, Bellingshausen, Ross and Davis seas, Oates, Adélie, Wilhelm and other coasts of East Antarctica to Prydz Bay.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

👥 Community & Contribute