Latin name

Pogonophryne albipinna

Other name

Pogonophryne albipinna

Identification

Pogonophryne - Greek, pogon = beard + Greek, phrynos = toad; albipinna - from Latin albus, white, and pinna, feather, due to the characteristic colouring of the fins.

Whitefin have more gill rakers on the first arch than other members of the genus. Vertebrae: 37. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18 - 19.

Fish colouring

Whitefish have white fins and a spotless body.

Distribution

Widespread in the Southern Ocean: Ross Sea, Bellingshausen Sea.

Habitat

The marine bathydemersal is a deep water species. Its depth range is 1565-1674 m.

Size

The maximum length of individuals of this species is 3.8 cm.

Behavior

Whitefin tuna have a chin antenna, the function of which is not fully understood. No taste buds have been found on the antenna. However, the chin tendril may have a sensory function in the search for food, and observations in the aquarium have shown that it is a kind of trigger that initiates a lunge in the direction of the detected prey.

Food and feeding habits

Slow moving, bottom dwelling, zoophagous fish. Predators that feed on a variety of available animal food, including carrion. 

Reproduction

Spawning is one-time. Breeds during the summer in the southern hemisphere. Males guard a clutch of ground eggs.

Fishing

This species is not commercially important in fisheries.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.