This acute triangular shape of the first dorsal fin is rare in species of nototheniids.

[5] The distinctive acute triangular shape of the first dorsal fin of this small to medium-sized species of notothen, which is due to the first spine being distinctly longer than the others and the 5-6 remaining spines decreasing regularly in length to the last, is a useful feature in distinguishing this species from its congeners.

This species is a predator that feeds on benthic invertebrates, mainly amphipods and isopods,[5] but also polychaetes and unidentified phytoplankton.

It is itself preyed on by the gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) and the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) in the Kerguelen Islands.

[1] This species is of very minor importance to commercial fisheries, with a total of just 2 tons (2.2 tonnes) landed in 2010.