Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) fish species and information / pictures of Arctic grayling - Thymallus arcticus

Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Thymallus arcticus

Common Name
Arctic grayling

Biology
Inhabits open water of clear, cold, medium to large rivers and lakes. Enters rocky creeks to spawn (Ref. 5723). Occurs in piedmont and montane cold streams, rivers and lakes with high oxygen concentrations (Ref. 59043). Forms schools in moderate numbers (Ref. 9988). Young feed on zooplankton with a gradual shift to immature insects; adults feed mainly on surface insects but also take in fishes, fish eggs, lemmings, and planktonic crustaceans (Ref. 1998). Spawns in montane streams with heavy current on shallows with rock-gravel bottom (Ref. 59043). Utilized fresh and can be fried, broiled, boiled, and baked (Ref. 9988).

Classification

Classified By
Pallas, 1776
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Salmons (Salmoniformes)
Family
Salmonids (Salmonidae)

Distribution

Region
North America
Distribution
North America: widespread in Arctic drainages from Hudson Bay, Canada to Alaska and in Arctic and Pacific drainages to central Alberta and British Columbia in Canada; upper Missouri River drainage in Montana, USA. Formerly in Great Lakes basin in Michigan, USA (Ref. 5723). Arctic Ocean basin in Siberia from Ob to Yenisei drainages and in Europe in some tributaries of Pechora (Usa, Kosyu, Kozhim), Korotaikha and Kara (Ref. 59043).
Range
71°N - 44°N

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
30 m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 30 - ? m (Ref. 5723)
Trophic Level
3.26 s.e. 0.41 Based on diet studies.
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
76.0 cm
Common Length
34.3 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5001 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (52 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.10-0.23; tm=2-6; tmax=18; Fec=416)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)