Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus)

Scientific name: Thaleichthys pacificus Richardson, 1836

Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus)

The Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) is a freshwater fish of the family Osmeridae.

Biology

Found near shore and in coastal inlets and rivers. Possibly to 625 m depth. Spends most of its life in the sea, returning to freshwater streams to spawn. There is evidence of return to natal streams. May migrate up to 160 km upstream. Feeds on plankton and only while at sea (11699, 10276). Excellent food fish and source of oil (15% body wt.).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Thaleichthys pacificus
Family
Osmeridae (Smelts)
Order
Osmeriformes (Smelts)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
34.0
Common length
20.0
Depth range
0–300 m (0–984 ft)
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; anadromous; depth range 0 - 300 m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
North Pacific: west of Saint Matthew Island and Kuskokwim Bay in the Bering Sea, and Bowers Bank in the Aleutian Islands to Monterey Bay, California, USA. Populations from northern British Columbia are separate from those in the Fraser River.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial

Sources

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

Last updated