Alaska blackfish (Dallia pectoralis)

Scientific name: Dallia pectoralis Bean, 1880

The Alaska blackfish (Dallia pectoralis) is a freshwater fish of the family Umbridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 4–14°C (39–57°F).

Alaska blackfish care at a glance

Temperature: 4–14°C (39–57°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-14; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 16; Vertebrae: 40 - 42. Identified by its short, flattened snout, the rearward location of the dorsal and anal fins, the presence of about 33 rays in the pectorals, and the presence of a pelvic fin that has only 3 rays. Gill rakers short; lateral line with minute pores: 76 to 100 scales in midlateral series. Dorsal located far back on body; anal more or less under dorsal; edge of pectorals rounded; pelvic fins very small and located just before anus; caudal broad and rounded. Dark green or brown above and on upper sides, pale below with dark speckles; four to six irregular dark bars or blotches on sides; fins have dark brownish specklings; dorsal, anal and caudal fins with pale margin, which are pink to red in spawning adults.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Dallia pectoralis
Family: Umbridae (Mudminnows)
Order: Esociformes (Pikes and Mudminnows)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 33.0
Common length: 10.8
Environment: Freshwater; demersal
Climate: Boreal
Distribution: North America: Alaska from Colville River delta south to central Alaska Peninsula near Chignik; upstream in Yukon-Tanana drainage to near Fairbanks. Also Bering Sea islands and northeastern Siberia, Russia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2-3; tmax=8; Fec=40-300)