Species guide
How to catch Mackerel icefish
Champsocephalus gunnari
The mackerel icefish is a slender, elongated predator native to southern Atlantic and Indian Ocean waters. It forms dense schools and performs daily vertical migrations in the water column. Its body is adapted to benthopelagic life, feeding mainly on smaller fish and macrofauna.
Where they live
Found in saltwater regions of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, this species lives benthopelagically from surface down to 700 meters. It forms dense aggregations and migrates vertically daily in search of food.
Typical size
Up to about 66 cm
What they eat
- small fish
- macrofauna
- lanternfish species
- krill-like crustaceans
Best baits
- small fish bait
- shrimp
- squid strips
Best lures
- small jigs
- soft plastic lures mimicking small fish
- metal spoons
How to fish for them
- vertical jigging
- bottom fishing
- drift fishing
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