- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- PERCIFORMES
- NOTOTHENIIDAE
- Dissostichus
- eleginoides
Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides Smitt 1898
Other Names: Chilean sea bass, Macquarie Island toothfish
Patagonian Toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides. Source: US Food and Drug Administration. License: Public Domain
Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Dissostichus eleginoides in Fishes of Australia, accessed 27 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4880
Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides Smitt 1898
More Info
Distribution |
Widespread in continental slope waters from off Chile and Argentina south of 30–35°S, to Subantarctic islands and continental shelf areas of the Southern Ocean. |
Feeding |
Opportunistic carnivores. Juveniles feed in the water column on krill in coastal waters. As they grow and migrate to deeper waters, they prey more on fishes. |
Biology |
Reach a length of over 2.2 m, and live to more than 50 years. Patagonian Toothfish spawn from July to September,, possibly releasing their eggs in continental slope depths of 800-1000 metres. |
Fisheries |
Fished commercially around Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean, Australian EEZ - 1500km south east of Tasmania. Patagonian Toothfish is taken by automated longline and bottom trawl, and most of the catch is exported to the USA, China and Japan. |
Etymology |
Dissostichus is from the Greek disso meaning 'twice', 'one or other', and stix, stichos meaning 'line' or 'row' in reference to the two lateral lines. The specific name eleginoides is derived from the genus Eleginops for an assumed resemblance to that genus. |
Author |
Dianne J. Bray |
Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides Smitt 1898
References
Collins MA, Brickle P, Brown J and Belchier M (2010) The Patagonian toothfish: biology, ecology and fishery. In: M Lesser (ed.) Advances in Marine Biology 58: 229-289.
Dewitt, H.H., P.C. Heemstra & O. Gon, 1990. Nototheniidae. p. 279-331. In O. Gon & P.C. Heemstra (eds) Fishes of the Southern Ocean. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Grahamstown, South Africa.