Patagonian canine fang (Dissostichus eleginoides) is a large marine fish, often called Chilean sea bass or sea wolf. Despite its nondescript appearance, it plays an important role in the marine ecosystem and has a high commercial value.
📚 Classification
• The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
• Type: Chordal (Chordata)
• Class: Procepteri (Actinopterygii)
• Row: Perch-like (Perciformes)
• Family: Notothenium (Nototheniidae)
• Gender: Dissostichus
• View: Dissostichus eleginoides
👀 Appearance
This large, massive fish with an elongated body and a large head. The color is gray-brown, sometimes with dark spots. The skin is thick and mucous. Adults can reach 2 m long and weigh more than 100 kg. It has a large mouth with small fangs, which gave it the name "fanged".
🌊 Range and habitat
He lives in South Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceansespecially off Patagonia, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. It lives on depths from 300 to 2500 meterson continental slopes and underwater ridges. Withstands water temperatures of from 0 to +4°C.
🏃♂️ Lifestyle and behavior
Loner, host benthic lifestyle. It swims slowly but is capable of sudden jerks. Usually does not rise to the upper layers of water. Due to body fat, it has neutral buoyancyThe fish hovers above the bottom in search of prey.
🍽️ Food
Predator: hunting for other fish, cephalopods (especially squid), crustaceans and even small sharks. It is capable of attacking prey that is almost the same size as itself. It is an important predator in its ecosystem, controlling the populations of other deep sea inhabitants.
🐣 Reproduction
Reaches puberty at the age of 8–10 years. Spawning occurs in winter, on the at depths of 1000-1500 m. Females lay up to 500 thousand eggs. The eggs and larvae first rise to the upper layers of water and then sink deeper. The juveniles grow slowly and the life cycle can last up to 50 years old.
🚨 Environmental protection status
Through overfishing in the 1990s, many populations suffered a sharp decline. Today, fishing is regulated by international organizations, including CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources). In some areas, fish have the status of vulnerable speciesThe situation is stabilizing due to sustainable fishing.
💡 Interesting facts
✔️ Known as "Chilean sea bass" on the market, making it popular among gourmets
✔️ Due to its high fat content, meat is very tender and juicyeven when frozen
✔️ Can live up to 50 years old
✔️ Є one of the largest predators the depths of the Antarctic region
✔️ Due to its popularity, it was the subject of illegal fishingthat threatened the populations of
✅ Conclusion
Patagonian canine fang - is not only a delicious fish, but also an important predator of the Antarctic ecosystem, which requires careful management of resources. Its unique biological characteristics and economic importance make it a true treasure of the southern seas that deserves protection and respect.
