Dolly varden (Salvelinus malma malma)

Scientific name: Salvelinus malma malma Walbaum, 1792

The Dolly varden (Salvelinus malma malma) is a freshwater fish of the family Salmonidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 4–18°C (39–64°F).

Dolly varden care at a glance

Temperature: 4–18°C (39–64°F)

Biology

Occurs in deep runs and pools of creeks and rivers; also in lakes and the sea. Lives in very clean mountain streams. Nerito-pelagic. Typically anadromous, but many populations are landlocked. Anadromous fish may spend 2-3 years at sea, evidently near shore, and migrate upstream to spawn. Young remain in streams for 3-4 years and feed on insects, leeches, snails, and salmon eggs before entering brackish and salt water to feed on insects, fishes, and other invertebrates. Utilized fresh and eaten fried, broiled, and baked.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Salvelinus malma malma
Family: Salmonidae (Salmonids)
Order: Salmoniformes (Salmons)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 127
Common length: 37.5
Depth range: 0–200 m (0–656 ft)
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; anadromous; depth range 0 - 200 m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Arctic, Northwest to Northeast Pacific: drainages from Alaska to Puget Sound, Washington, USA; formerly in McCloud River drainages in California, USA. Northwest Pacific: Korea to Bering Sea.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=3-5)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026