Details
Dissostichus eleginoides
Patagonian toothfish is a fish associated with open ocean and polar habitats. It is carnivorous and usually solitary. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Its range is represented here by the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, where it uses open ocean and polar habitats. Mobile species may shift habitat use with season, breeding sites, or food availability.
Typical length 70-220 cm, weight 5 kg-100 kg. It has a finned fish body plan, with proportions shaped by its habitat and mode of movement.
It is active in bouts across day and night and usually solitary. Spacing, group size, and visibility can change with season, feeding conditions, and breeding activity.
It is carnivorous. Food choice and foraging style are tied to life in open ocean and polar habitats, so movements often follow available food resources.
Breeding usually involves spawning, with eggs and young developing in suitable freshwater, coastal, or reef habitats.
Recorded scientifically as Dissostichus eleginoides. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters. In this guide, size, habitat, and activity pattern are useful first clues for recognition.
