Latin name

Channichthys rhinoceratus

Other name

Channichthys rhinoceratus

Identification

Channichthys: Greek, channe, -es = an anchovy + Greek, ichthys = fish.

It differs from other species of the genus Channichthys by the following set of characters In the dorsal (upper) lateral line 70-87 tubular bony segments (scales), in the posterior part of the medial (middle) lateral line 8-20 tubular bony segments (scales), in the anterior part - 0-28 punctate rounded bony plates; in the lower part of the first gill ray 6-14 poorly developed, toothed stamens, located only in the outer row (occasionally 1-2 stamens may also occur on the inner side in the corner of the ray); vertebrae 56-58, of which 24-26 are trunk vertebrae and 31-33 caudal vertebrae. Eye small, orbital diameter 15-16% of head length or 28-32% of snout length. Interorbital space very wide (19-21% of head length), flat, always larger than orbital diameter. The outer edges of the frontal bones are barely raised above the orbit. The posterior edge of the jawbone extends posteriorly to a vertical line through the centre of the orbit. Granulation (tuberculation) on the body weak, small, smooth bony granules may occur on the frontal bones; absent on the upper jaw, anterior part of the lower jaw, gill rays and pelvic fin rays.

Features of fish fins

The first dorsal fin usually has 6-7, rarely 8 flexible barb rays, of which the first 3 rays (more often the 2nd and 3rd) are the largest; the second dorsal fin has 33-36 rays; the anal fin has 30-33 rays; the pectoral fin has 21-22 rays. The first dorsal fin is low, its height is 4.8-6.9 times the standard length of the fish, more or less triangular in shape (not trapezoidal), with a very low fin fold, reaching a height not higher than 3/4 of the length of the largest barb. The first and second dorsal fins are separated by a wide interdorsal gap. 

Fish colouring

The general lifetime colouration of the fish varies from light greyish silver to brownish. There are numerous irregular dark spots on the body, forming a marbled pattern. The underside of the body is white. The rays and fold of the first dorsal fin are black. The anal fin is whitish. The rays of the pectoral, second dorsal and caudal fins are grey or blackish grey, the folds of the fins are pale, transparent. The pelvic fins are dark grey from the top.

Distribution

The known range of the species includes the coastal marine waters around the Kerguelen Islands (endemic). 

Habitat

They have a benthic-pelagic lifestyle. Relatively shallow water species, caught in bottom trawls at depths of 175-228m.

Size

It belongs to the group of large species of the genus Channichthys. Females usually do not exceed 490 mm total length and 449 mm standard length. The largest specimen reached 61 cm total length. The maximum reported weight is 500g. 

Behavior

Adults live close to the shore at distances of more than 750 m.

Food and feeding habits

Feeds mainly on fish and sometimes on algae. Predatory ichthyophagous, apparently feeding in the bottom layers of water and in pelagic areas, judging from the pelagic shape of the body and pelagic colouration. As in other predatory species of the genus, the gill stamens of these fishes are few and located in an outer row in the lower part of the first gill arch.

Reproduction

Sexual maturity does not occur until a total length of about 35 cm (32 cm standard length). Spawning is thought to occur in late southern hemisphere summer, February-March.

Fishing

This species is of commercial importance in fisheries.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.