Channichthys mithridatis was first formally described in 2008 by Gennadiy A. Shandikov with the type locality given as Kerguelen Island.

[2][1] The specific name mithridatis is a Latinisation of Mithridates, the King of Pontus in the Hellenistic period who ruled over Panticapaeum, the modern city of Kerch in the Crimea where the institute yugNIRO which studied Antarctic fisheries was based.

[3] Channichthys mithridatis attains a maximum total length of 37 cm (15 in).

There are 3-4 darker cross bars, two of which are underneath the second dorsal fin, and are present on the body of some individuals.

[3] Channichthys mithridatis is a bathydemersal species which is endemic to the Kerguelen islands in the Southern Ocean.