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Antarctic notothen (Pagothenia brachysoma) — Nototheniidae

Antarctic notothen

Pagothenia brachysoma
Family: Nototheniidae

The Antarctic notothen (Pagothenia brachysoma) is a fish of the family Nototheniidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Antarctic notothen is a notothenioid (Nototheniidae) from the icy waters of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a stocky, greyish body and characteristically lives against the underside of the pack ice, sheltering among the ice crystals. Antifreeze compounds in its blood prevent freezing. It feeds on small zooplankton, especially krill and amphipods. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Antarctic notothen?

The Antarctic notothen is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Antarctic notothen live?

The Antarctic notothen is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Antarctic notothen get?

The Antarctic notothen grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Antarctic notothen dangerous to humans?

No, the Antarctic notothen is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Korte ijsvis sourced
English name
Antarctic notothen sourced
Scientific name
Pagothenia brachysoma
Family
Nototheniidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
20 sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pagothenia

Bald notothen (Pagothenia borchgrevinki) — Nototheniidae
Bald notothen
Pagothenia borchgrevinki
Nototheniidae

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