Biology and distribution of South Georgia icefish ( Pseudochaenichthys georgianus ) around South Georgia and Shag Rocks

Abstract Pseudochaenichthys georgianus is a member of the unique Channichthyidae family of fishes, which lack haemoglobin. The distribution, length-frequency and summer diet are described from 14 bottom trawl surveys undertaken in the summers between 1986 and 2006. Pseudochaenichthys georgianus (50–...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antarctic Science
Main Authors: Clarke, Sarah, Reid, William D.K., Collins, Martin A., Belchier, Mark
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2008
Subjects:
Geology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Oceanography
Antarctic
Shag Rocks
Antarc*
Antarctic Krill
Antarctic Science
Euphausia superba
Icefish
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102008000990
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102008000990
Description
Summary:Abstract Pseudochaenichthys georgianus is a member of the unique Channichthyidae family of fishes, which lack haemoglobin. The distribution, length-frequency and summer diet are described from 14 bottom trawl surveys undertaken in the summers between 1986 and 2006. Pseudochaenichthys georgianus (50–590 mm TL) were caught throughout the South Georgia shelf from depths of 76–370 m, but very few specimens (< 1%) were caught on the Shag Rocks shelf. Multiple cohorts were present during each survey and length-frequency analysis of these cohorts suggests that growth is fast during the first 3–4 years. Stomach contents analysis (2005 & 2006) indicated that P. georgianus is a pelagic or semi pelagic predator, with the summer diet dominated by Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba ). Fish (channichthyids and notothenids) were also taken, but were a relatively minor part of the diet.

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