G-16 



g,^ oize and Growth 



In the Antnrctic ichthyofauna small epeoieB ire dominant, over half the epeciee do not 

 attain a length of 25 cm and few species attain a length of over half a metre (Andriaehev 

 1965). It is an interesting point that most of the larger species belong to the family 

 Channichthyidae, a gro\ip possessing neither Auictional erythrocytes nor any respiratory 

 pigment. Growth rates are, with few exceptions, slow as might be expected in an environment 

 of continually low temperatures. The limited information that is available is set out below, 



Raja sp . 



The South Georgia skate, Raja georgian\TS is one of the largest Antarctic fishes. 

 Permit in (I969) gives the siae/weight composition for 31 fish from a large sample caught 

 in the vicinity of South Georgia (Table O.4). No information ie available on growth rate. 



Table 8.4. Length/Weight information for Itaja georgianus . 



Wic romesistiuB austral io 



Information on growth is only available for this species from Patagonia and the Scotia 

 Sea areas (Table 8.5.). 

 Table 8.5. Length (cm) against Age results for Micromcsiatius austral is 



