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Humped rockcod (Gobionotothen gibberifrons) — Nototheniidae

Humped rockcod

Gobionotothen gibberifrons
Family: Nototheniidae

The Humped rockcod (Gobionotothen gibberifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Nototheniidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6–429 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Ocean; continental shelf of the Scotia Arc.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The humped rockcod is an Antarctic notothen (Nototheniidae) from the Southern Ocean. The species has a fairly large body with a conspicuously bulging forehead. It lives bottom-bound on the continental shelf around the Antarctic Peninsula and islands of the Scotia Arc. As a bottom hunter it feeds on polychaete worms, small crustaceans, molluscs and detritus. It is an important prey in the Antarctic food web. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Humped rockcod?

The Humped rockcod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Strikingly bulging forehead; Antarctic bottom-dwelling notothen, important prey fish.

Where does the Humped rockcod live?

The Humped rockcod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southern Ocean; continental shelf of the Scotia Arc.

How big does the Humped rockcod get?

The Humped rockcod grows to a maximum of about 55 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Humped rockcod dangerous to humans?

No, the Humped rockcod is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Humped rockcod edible?

Yes, the Humped rockcod is commonly eaten.

More photos

Humped rockcod (Gobionotothen gibberifrons) — Nototheniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Peter Kappes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Humped rockcod (Gobionotothen gibberifrons) — Nototheniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) martin_glhf, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Humped rockcod (Gobionotothen gibberifrons) — Nototheniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sarka Masova, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Humped rockcod (Gobionotothen gibberifrons) — Nototheniidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Sarka Masova (CC BY 4.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Humped rockcod verified
Scientific name
Gobionotothen gibberifrons
Family
Nototheniidae
Other names
Humphead notothen verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55 verified
Average length (cm)
40 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
6 verified
Max depth (m)
429 verified
Natural range
Southern Ocean; continental shelf of the Scotia Arc.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Polychaetes, small crustaceans, molluscs and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Strikingly bulging forehead; Antarctic bottom-dwelling notothen, important prey fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Gobionotothen

More from the family Nototheniidae

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