It is endemic to the Kerguelen Plateau area of the Southern Ocean.

[1] It is described to have a light brownish-olive or grayish-olive color, with a white belly and dark spots on the caudal and dorsal fins forming brush-like patterns.

The anal fins are whitish and dark brown spots are sometimes present.

The dorsal fin membranes are high and there is a large number of dorsal fin rays, distinguishing it from similar Channichthys species (e.g. Channichthys rugosus).

[2] This species feeds on fishes and cephalopods [1] and is of no interest to commercial fisheries.