Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814)

Salvelinus fontinalis View in CoL View Figure

Common name. Brook charr.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from species of Salmo and Oncorhynchus in West Asia by: ● lateral-line scales very elliptical, reduced to little more than nerve tube, smaller than scales in adjacent rows, with no or little overlap with scales in front or behind / ● back, dorsal and caudal with pale-brown or grey spots or vermiculated / ○ pectoral, pelvic and anal with white margin followed by a black submarginal line / ○ flank with pink or red spots, some bluish / ○ juvenile with 8–10 parr marks. Size up to about 500 mm SL.

Distribution. Very locally stocked in Caucasus and Türkiye. Unclear if established. Native to North America from Hudson Bay basin and northeastern Canada south to upper Mississippi, east to coast of New Jersey and northern Georgia. Widespread in North and South America, Europe, Asia and southern Africa. Found throughout Europe, especially in high-altitude streams and lakes, but rarely confirmed as established. Established populations documented from high-altitude lakes and streams in Corsica, Italy, Czech Republic, southern Germany (list probably not exhaustive).

Habitat. Cold and moderately to rapidly flowing mountain streams. In North America, northern populations also in lakes and rivers. Spawns in gravel in fast-flowing streams or in lakes. Occasionally established in nutrient-poor lakes, high mountains or acidic streams.

Biology. Lives up to 15 years. First spawns at 1–2 years in central and southern Europe, 3–4 years in northern Europe. Spawns in October–November, earlier in north, usually at 3–10°C. Females build redds. Eggs hatch in spring. Only non-anadromous populations in Europe. Anadromous in North America. Feeds on aquatic invertebrates and small fish. Territorial, of equal size, dominated by Salmo trutta , whose presence limits its distribution. Artificial hybrids with Salmo trutta (tiger trout) are occasionally stocked.

Conservation status. Non-native; introduced for recreational fisheries.

Further reading. Scott & Crossman 1973 (biology); Jenkins & Burkhead 1993 (biology).