Latin name

Chaenodraco wilsoni

Other name

Chaenodraco wilsoni, Chaenodraco fasciatus.

Identification

The species was first described in 1914 by Charles Tate Regan, based on material collected by polar zoologist Edward Wilson, a member of the 1910-1913 British Antarctic Expedition on the bark Terra Nova, led by Robert Falcon Scott.

Supraorbital ridge of spiny icefish without denticles. Middle lateral line bordered by caudal protuberance. Lower lateral line starting anteriorly from the beginning of the anal fin and ending above the sixth anal ray. Upper jaw extending below the anterior third of the eye. Forehead with 2 superior and 3 inferior spines. The premaxillary canal is not connected to the temporal canal. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 38 - 42; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 32 - 36. 

The pelvic fins extend beyond the anal fin. 

Fish colouring

When alive, the body of the spiny icefish is pale grey with a whitish belly. 

Distribution

Live in the cold waters of Antarctica. Found in the Southern Ocean: Antarctic continental shelf and Antarctic island waters (South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Mordvinov Island).

Habitat

Polar marine benthopelagic species. Their depth range is 200-800m.

Size

These fish can reach a length of up to 40 cm and a weight of up to 680 g (modal 240-350 g). The maximum recorded length is 43.0 cm.

Behavior

Common in the shallow waters of the continental shelf, especially on coasts less than 250 m deep in areas. Postlarvae and pelagic juveniles are also found above 100m.  

Food and feeding habits

The diet consists of fish and krill. Spiny icefish feed on amphipods, juvenile fish, euphausiids, including Euphausia superba, Euphausia crystallorophias, Pleuragramma antarcticum. They are prey for penguins and seals.

Reproduction

Spawning takes place in the Antarctic autumn (March-April). Underwater video monitoring in the Weddell Sea has shown that males patrol and guard the oviposition sites. 

Fishing

This species is of commercial interest in fisheries.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. It is used as a food fish.