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Black rockcod (Notothenia coriiceps) — Nototheniidae

Black rockcod

Notothenia coriiceps
Family: Nototheniidae

The Black rockcod (Notothenia coriiceps) is a saltwater fish of the family Nototheniidae that grows up to 62 cm.

Length
62 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–550.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Subantarctica: Bouvet I., Terre Adélie, S. Georg. Sandw., Crozet Is., Kerguelen Is., Heard McDon Is. and others

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Description

The Black rockcod is an Antarctic notothen (Nototheniidae) from the cold waters of around Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula islands. The species grows to about 62 cm and has a stocky, dark olive-brown body with a large head. Adapted to icy water with natural antifreeze compounds in the blood, it lives on the bottom and snaps at crustaceans, worms, molluscs and algae. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black rockcod?

The Black rockcod has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Black rockcod live?

The Black rockcod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Subantarctica: Bouvet I., Terre Adélie, S. Georg. Sandw., Crozet Is., Kerguelen Is., Heard McDon Is. and others

How big does the Black rockcod get?

The Black rockcod grows to a maximum of about 62 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Black rockcod dangerous to humans?

No, the Black rockcod is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Black rockcod (Notothenia coriiceps) — Nototheniidae — 2
James Maclaine (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Black rockcod (Notothenia coriiceps) — Nototheniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Marcela Poddaniec, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black rockcod (Notothenia coriiceps) — Nototheniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) davidcothran, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black rockcod (Notothenia coriiceps) — Nototheniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sarka Masova, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Black rockcod sourced
Scientific name
Notothenia coriiceps
Family
Nototheniidae
Other names
Bullhead notothen; Yellowbelly rockcod verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
62.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
550.0 verified
Natural range
Subantarctica: Bouvet I., Terre Adélie, S. Georg. Sandw., Crozet Is., Kerguelen Is., Heard McDon Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Notothenia

More from the family Nototheniidae

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