Matanui bathytaton
The Chatham deep‑water triplefin (Matanui bathytaton) is a tiny, cryptic reef fish endemic to the waters around New Zealand’s Chatham Islands. Reaching only about 9.4 cm (3.7 in) in length, it is prized by divers rather than anglers and is rarely targeted for food.
Family
Tripterygiidae
Max Size
9.4 cm
Habitat
marine
Depth Range
80-550m
Climate
subtropical
Best Season
Southern Hemisphere summer (December – February)
Best Time
Early dawn or late dusk when planktonic prey are most active
Select a map type to show distribution on the globe.
Chatham Rise – Deep‑water Reef
New ZealandA prominent submarine ridge east of the Chatham Islands where Matanui bathytaton aggregates over steep drop‑offs and sponge‑covered ledges.
Best: December‑February
Campbell Island Summit Drop‑off
New ZealandRemote sub‑antarctic island with deep channels; the summit drop‑off hosts healthy populations of deep‑water triplefins during the austral summer.
Best: January‑March
Kermadec Trench Edge (North‑west slope)
New ZealandSteep trench wall at ~300 m depth where currents bring zooplankton, attracting Matanui bathytaton in moderate numbers.
Best: November‑February
Auckland Islands – Deep Reef Basin
New ZealandA series of basaltic basins around the Auckland Islands that provide the cold, clear water preferred by the species; visits are limited by weather.
Best: December‑January
South Georgia – Southern Shelf
United Kingdom (South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands)Isolated southern Atlantic shelf where occasional drift‑offspring of the triplefin are found; very few anglers target it here.
Best: February‑April
Antarctic Peninsula – Continental Shelf Edge
Antarctica (Treaty area)Extremely remote, cold‑water environment; catches are considered trophy‑level events due to the scarcity of the species.
Best: December‑March
Best bait: Live micro‑shrimps, amphipods, or minced fish tissue