Arctic char

Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a cold-water fish in the family Salmonidae, native to alpine lakes and arctic and subarctic coastal waters. Its distribution is circumpolar. It spawns in fresh water and populations can be anadromous, remaining in fresh water, or semianadromous, migrating to the sea.

Description

The Arctic Char is closely related to both salmon and lake trout, and has many characteristics of both. The fish is highly variable in colour, depending on the time of year and the environmental conditions of the lake where it lives. Its coloration can range from a bright silver to a dark green or even almost black. The belly can range from bright red to pink.

Distribution and habitat

Arctic Char is found in the arctic circle, as well as in lakes and rivers in the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is the northernmost freshwater fish, and it's habitat spans many different environments. It is known to thrive in cold, clean, deep lakes and rivers, and it can also be found in the ocean in the arctic regions.

Diet

The diet of Arctic Char varies greatly depending on the size of the fish and the location. Small char feed on zooplankton and insect larvae, while larger char feed on a variety of food items, including fish, crustaceans, and insects.

Reproduction

Arctic Char are broadcast spawners, meaning they release their eggs and sperm into the water column to fertilize. They spawn in the fall, and females will lay their eggs in nests that they create in the gravel on the lake or river bottom.

Conservation

Arctic Char populations are generally stable, but some local populations have been impacted by overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change. Conservation efforts are focused on maintaining healthy populations and habitats, and managing fishing to ensure it is sustainable.

See also

• Salmonidae
• Anadromous
• Semianadromous
• Broadcast spawner

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