The lower jaw does not protrude and the mouth extends as far back as the middle of the eye.

There are two lateral lines consisting of tubed scales, one on the upper body and the other on the mid-flank.

[2] Notothenia rockcods have some adaptations that allow them to thrive in such inhospitable habitat, like antifreeze proteins in their blood[6] and ample fat to insulate them against heat loss and to offset their lack of a swim bladder.

[7] They are benthic predators feeding on invertebrates and smaller fishes, although algae are consumed in large quantities too.

[2] Notothenia rockcods are targeted by some fisheries, with N. rossi being an important commercially fished species.