[1] Described by Sir John Richardson in 1844 and being the type species of the genus Channichthys, the unicorn icefish is generally pale brown, though smaller specimens have four dark cross-bars present on each side of the body, and dark spots are present on the body, sometimes with reddish patches and dark reticulations are present.

[3] This species is a typical benthic predator that feeds on fishes[2] (other notothenoids, especially the mackerel icefish Champsocephalus gunnari and other Channichthys species, however, Harpagifer fishes are also taken)[1][3] and occasionally algae.

This species migrates to shallower waters in January and lays 6,000 to 14,000 eggs in February.

[1] Although this species seems to be endemic to the Kerguelen-Heard Plateau, otoliths of this species have been found in the stomach contents of gentoo penguins nesting on Marion Island, seemingly confirming its presence there.

[2] Its flesh is of good quality, though not as good as that of the mackerel icefish,[4] and is of minor importance to commercial fisheries,[2] caught in bottom trawls for mackerel icefish as a bycatch species.