Channichthys mithridatis Shandikov, 2008
Green icefish
photo by Shandikov, G.A.

Family:  Channichthyidae (Crocodile icefishes)
Max. size:  37 cm TL (male/unsexed); 43.7 cm TL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 250 - 310 m
Distribution:  Antarctic: Kerguelen Is.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 32-34; Anal soft rays: 30-32; Vertebrae: 55-58. This species is made distinct by the following characters: interorbital width narrow, 6.3-7.7 times in HL, 1.2-1.7 shorter than horizontal orbit diameter; large eyes, orbit 4.5-5.6 times in HL and 2.1-2.7 in snout length; posterior edge of maxilla extending below 1/2-2/3 of the orbit diameter; a row of rakers on lower part of 1st gill arch on the outer side of ceratobranchial; first dorsal fin very high, 2.9-4 times in SL, with 2nd or 3rd spine longest; fin membrane of D1 not reaching tips of longest spines; well separated dorsal fins, posterior edge of D1 fin membrane not reaching 1st ray base of D2; rounded bony plates usually absent from anterior part of median lateral line; tuberculation on frontals and on anterior dorsal spines very faint or absent, absent on maxilla, dentary and branchiostegals (Ref. 80896).
Biology:  A piscivorous species; stomach contents contain fish (Ref. 80896). Females mature at about 30-32 cm TL or 26-28 cm SL. Caught by bottom trawls in an area of barren of benthic fauna (Ref. 80896).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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