Nesting behavior of the icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus at Bouvetøya Island, Southern Ocean

Detrich, H. William; Jones, Christopher D.; Kim, Stacy; North, Anthony W.; Thurber, Andrew; Vacchi, Marino. 2005 Nesting behavior of the icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus at Bouvetøya Island, Southern Ocean. Polar Biology, 28 (11). 828-832. 10.1007/s00300-005-0010-8

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Abstract/Summary

We describe in situ observations on nesting by the Scotia Sea (or blackfin) icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus (Lönnberg) that constitute the first substantive evidence of egg brooding and parental care by species of the family Channichthyidae. At Boutetoya Island six fish, all apparently male, were observed guarding egg nests at depths of 141–148 m during an ROV deployment. Eggs were laid as aggregated, round masses (~20–25 cm diameter) in shallow, circular depressions (~1-m diameter, ~20-cm depth) that were probably excavated by the parent(s) to protect the nests. The fish guardians remained tenaciously in contact with the eggs despite disturbances caused by the ROV, reacting to this threat with stress and defense behaviors. Because brooding fishes are more susceptible to the population impacts from trawl fisheries, we argue that this life history should be kept in mind in designing management schemes.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s00300-005-0010-8
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Dynamics and Management of Ocean Ecosystems
ISSN:	0722-4060
Additional Keywords:	Fish, Channichthyidae
NORA Subject Terms:	Zoology
Date made live:	19 Dec 2007 13:34 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/1746

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