Latin name

Trematomus nicolai

Other names

Pseudotrematomus nicolai

Identification

Body elongated, compressed at the sides. Mouth terminal, with horizontal or oblique slit; maxilla slightly erect. Teeth on jaws small, bristle-like, conical or fanged; palate and scutellum without teeth. The gill membranes are usually elevated to the isthmus and form a short fold; the swim bladder is absent. Reduced number of forming elements in the blood, especially erythrocytes, which contributes to a significant reduction in the viscosity of the blood and, consequently, to its faster circulation in the circulatory system.

Distribution

Widespread mainly in high latitude Antarctica, off the coast of Antarctica and near the northern boundary of the Southern Ocean - in the thalassobatiale of subantarctic islands.

Habitat

Live a benthic lifestyle in coastal waters.

Size

Can reach lengths of up to 2m and weights of up to 70kg.

Life history and Behavior

No information

Food and feeding habits

On the vertical walls of the iceberg, diatoms and associated small crustaceans develop, providing food for the juvenile spotted notothens. Lacking a swim bladder and unable to stay afloat for long, they have adapted to suck themselves to the vertical ice surface using pelvic fins. Adults feed mainly on molluscs, bocoplaves, crustaceans and polychaete worms, which are abundant in coastal waters.

Reproduction

No information