Fish
Arctic Char
Salvelinus alpinusAlso known as Arctic Charr, Alpine Trout, Alpine Charr, Ikaluk
Arctic char are remarkably adaptable cold-water salmonids, renowned as the world's northernmost freshwater fish. Landlocked populations inhabit deep, icy lakes year-round, while anadromous runs migrate to marine coastal waters each summer to feed before returning to rivers to spawn. During autumn spawning, adults transform dramatically, developing brilliant fiery red bellies and vivid white margins along their lower fins.
Cold-WaterAnadromousSalmonid
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAmphipods, Sticklebacks, Aquatic Insect Larvae
Predators
- Polar Bear
- Lake Trout
- Osprey
ThreatsClimate warming, habitat degradation, and localized overfishing
HabitatsArctic and alpine lakes, tundra rivers, streams, and coastal marine waters
Life span15–25 years
Classification
- OrderSalmoniformes
- FamilySalmonidae
- GenusSalvelinus
- SpeciesSalvelinus alpinus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spawning Colors: Look for vibrant orange bellies during autumn spawning runs in cold gravel-bed streams.
- Lake Habitats: In southern parts of its range, search deep, clear, oxygen-rich glacial lakes.
Close Relative (c) James St. John, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Lythronax246, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lythronax246 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Family Relative (c) nicolás, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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