Download biodiversity lc

Geraldine Rulloda
Young Icefish
Scientific Name: Chaenocephalus Aceratus
Latin Name: Leucosoma Chinensis
Type: Fish
Diet: Omnivore
Average Lifespan: The estimated age range is 1-5 years
for males and 1-4 years for females.
Size: Seldom more than 15 centimeters (6 inches) long.
Weight: A maximum of 2kg
Family Species: Channichthyidae
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum[biology]: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata[a category in biological
classification ranking below a phylum & above a
class]
Superclass: Gnathostomata
Superclass: Pisces
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
History of Icefish
The first icefish was discovered in 1927 by zoologist
Ditlef Rustad, who pulled up a strange, pale fish
during an expedition to Antarctic waters. The fish
he pulled up was eventually named the blackfin
icefish [Chaenocephalus aceratus].
Facts about Icefish
They live in icy cold water, and have icy looking blood.
These crocodile icefishes belong to the family of
Channichthyidae.
There are many species [33, according to WoRMS] of
icefish in the family of Channichthyidae. These fish all
have heads that look a little like crocodile.
Another fairly unique trait for icefish that they don’t
have scales. This can aid their ability to absorb oxygen
through the ocean water.
Adaptation
 Icefish are amazing fish that live in the southern
ocean, they are mostly found around Antarctica.
Icefish can survive freezing temperatures from -2 to
4 degrees Celsius[ 28.4 to 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit].
These fish probably could not survive anywhere else,
since they’ve spend millions of years adapting in this
freezing cold water.
Where does the Icefish live?
Icefish are mainly found in the Southern Ocean and
are mostly found around Antarctica. Since these
waters are cold , other fish have trouble living here.
Therefore icefish makes out 95% of all marine life
in this region. Icefish are not found in other
locations in the planet.
What does an Icefish look like?
 Ice fish are sometimes called “Crocodile Icefish” because of the
shape of their snout. The color of icefish is usually white, gray,
silver, black or red. They have transparent blood because they have
lack of red blood cells and hemoblobin. Hemoblobin is a protein in
the blood that transports oxygen. Icefish are the only known
vertebrates in the world that do not have hemoblobin. They absorb
their oxygen directly through their skin from water. These fish have
anti-freeze proteins that circulate through their bodies to keep them
from freezing. Icefish have the same simple structure like all fish do
with gills, two dorsal fin that are supported by long, flexible spine, a
tail fin, and wide pectoral fins.
What do an Icefish eat?
Most of the 16 species of Icefish feed on krill, fish,
and crabs. They also eat the foods that plankton
whales eat.
Pictures of Icefish
Prey’s of Icefish
Questions
What is the name of the family that the Icefish belongs to?
Give 2 examples of what they eat.
What is the unique trait for icefish?
How many species of icefish are there?
What is the Latin name for icefish?
When was the first icefish discovered?
Where could we find the icefishes?
How long is the average lifespan for males & females icefish.
Give some amazing facts about icefish.