European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus)

Scientific name: Coregonus lavaretus Linnaeus, 1758

European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus)

The European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) is a freshwater fish of the family Salmonidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 4–16°C (39–61°F).

European whitefish care at a glance

Temperature
4–16°C (39–61°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 3 - 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 3 - 5; Anal soft rays: 10 - 13. Mouth small with protruding upper jaw. Silvery body. Caudal fin with 19 soft rays.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Coregonus lavaretus
Family
Salmonidae (Salmonids)
Order
Salmoniformes (Salmons)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
73.0
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 20 - ? demersal; anadromous
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Europe: Native to Lake Bourget (France) and Geneva (Switzerland, France). Population of Lake Aiguebelette (France) apparently introduced, but a 'lavaret' had already been recorded from there in the 17th century. Other authors assume it to be a superspecies occurring in Great Britain and Alpine areas of Central Europe. Has been stocked into many other places in Europe outside its native range. There are many parallel and wrong scientific names for this species in use because of the problems in classifying the genus Coregonus. Appendix III of the Bern Convention (protected fauna). Asia: introduced to Iran.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (D2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.3-0.7; tm=3-4;)

Sources

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

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