Alaska whitefish (Coregonus nelsonii) fish species and information / pictures of Alaska whitefish - Coregonus nelsonii

Alaska whitefish (Coregonus nelsonii) fish species information

Scientific Name
Coregonus nelsonii

Common Name
Alaska whitefish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 14; Vertebrae: 60 - 63. Distinguished by the gill rakers that are longer than 20% of the interorbital width, a total of 22 to 27 gill rakers on the first arch (with modal counts of 24 or 25), and a pronounced hump behind the head in adults (Ref. 27547). Adipose fin well developed, often larger in males; axillary process present in pelvic fins (Ref. 27547). Dark brown to midnight blue above fading to silver on sides and wide beneath; no parr marks in young (Ref. 27547).

Classification

Classified By

Bean, 1884

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Salmons (Salmoniformes)

Family

Salmonids (Salmonidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Probably restricted to northern Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory in Canada and Alaska in Yukon River, Paxson Lake, Copper River system, Anderson River and Mackenzie River delta. Hybridizes with Stenodus leucichthys, probably a result of simultaneous broadcasting of reproductive products in the same area; occasionally hybridizes with Coregonus sardinella (Ref. 27547). Belongs to the Coregonus clupeaformis complex (Ref. 27547).

Range

68°N - 59°N

Environment

Climate

Boreal

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 27547)

Trophic Level

3.46 s.e. 0.43 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

56.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (54 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3-5)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated