Champsocephalus esox (Günther, 1861) Pike icefish |
![]() |
photo by
FAO |
Family: | Channichthyidae (Crocodile icefishes) | |||
Max. size: | 35 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 270.0 g | |||
Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 50 - 250 m | |||
Distribution: | Southern Ocean: Patagonian-Falkland region, Straits of Magellan and rarely at South Georgia. | |||
Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 32-32; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 31-31; Vertebrae: 57-60. Posterior margin of caudal fin emarginate. No scales except on lateral line. Body brown, irregularly mottled (Ref. 27363). | |||
Biology: | Feed mostly on fishes and krill. | |||
IUCN Red List Status: | Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 06 December 2019 (A2bcde) Ref. (130435) | |||
Threat to humans: | harmless |