Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus alpinus) fish species and information / pictures of Arctic char - Salvelinus alpinus alpinus

Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus alpinus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Salvelinus alpinus alpinus

Common Name
Arctic char

Biology
Anadromous forms spend a considerable time of their lives at sea; non-migratory populations remain in lakes and rivers (Ref. 4779). Found in rivers, estuaries and lakes with cold, clear water. Occurs mainly in lakes. At the sea, lives along coasts (Ref. 59043). Inhabits deep runs and pools of medium to large rivers, and lakes (Ref. 5723). Nerito-pelagic (Ref. 58426). Freshwater populations feed on planktonic crustaceans, amphipods, mollusks, insects and fishes (Ref. 4479). Anadromous individuals feed little in freshwater and never feed during migrations. Spawning usually takes place on pebble to stone bottom in lakes. Riverine stocks spawn in rivers with slow current (02.-0.8 m/s), but there are some riverine anadromous stocks (in Norway) which spawn in fast-flowing waters of riffles (Ref. 59043). Extremely sensitive to water pollution (cold water and oxygen oriented) (Ref. 2163). Marketed fresh, smoked, canned (Ref. 27547), and frozen. Eaten sautéed, broiled, fried, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988). Parasitized by tapeworm

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Salmons (Salmoniformes)

Family

Salmonids (Salmonidae)

Distribution

Region

Europe

Distribution

Europe: northern Atlantic southward to southern Norway, also Iceland and southern Greenland. Isolated populations in Northern UK, Scandinavia, Finland and the Alps. North America: Landlocked populations in Quebec, Canada and in Maine and New Hampshire in USA

Range

85°N - 42°N, 180°W - 180°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

4 °C

Water Temperature To

16 °C

Depth From - meters

30 m

Depth To - meters

70 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 30 - 70 m

Trophic Level

4.26 s.e. 0.75 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

107 cm

Common Length

40.0 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: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (74 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=7-10; tmax=24; Fec=400)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status