Channichthys irinae was first formally described in 1995 by the Ukrainian based ichthyologist Gennadiy A. Shandikov with the type locality given as the southwestern Indian Ocean, northeast of Kerguelen Island.

[1][2] Channichthys irinae grows to a maximum length of 25.9 cm (10.2 in).

Distinguishing factors from other Channichthys species also include the fact that it has the largest eye diameter relative to snout length (45.9% at the very least, with specimens sometimes reaching 56%).

[3] Channichthys irinae is endemic to the Southern Ocean around the Kerguelen Islands.

[3] This species mainly feeds on pelagic zooplankton and is of no interest to commercial fisheries.