Teleostei (teleosts) >
Salmoniformes (Salmons) >
Salmonidae (Salmonids) > Coregoninae
Etymology: Coregonus: Greek, kore = pupils of the eye + Greek, gonia = angle (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Edward William Nelson (1855–1934) was an outstanding American naturalist. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Bean.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 27547). Boreal; 68°N - 59°N
North America: Probably restricted to northern Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory in Canada and Alaska in Yukon River, Paxson Lake, Copper River system, Anderson River and Mackenzie River delta. Hybridizes with Stenodus leucichthys, probably a result of simultaneous broadcasting of reproductive products in the same area; occasionally hybridizes with Coregonus sardinella (Ref. 27547). Belongs to the Coregonus clupeaformis complex (Ref. 27547).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 56.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 14; Vertebrae: 60 - 63. Distinguished by the gill rakers that are longer than 20% of the interorbital width, a total of 22 to 27 gill rakers on the first arch (with modal counts of 24 or 25), and a pronounced hump behind the head in adults (Ref. 27547). Adipose fin well developed, often larger in males; axillary process present in pelvic fins (Ref. 27547). Dark brown to midnight blue above fading to silver on sides and wide beneath; no parr marks in young (Ref. 27547).
Occurs in small to large rivers (Ref. 5723). Rarely enters lakes (Ref. 5723). Makes fairly extensive upstream and downstream movements related to spawning runs (Ref. 27547). Feeds mainly on immature insects (Ref. 27547). Usually does not feed during the latter part of the spawning run (Ref. 27547). Excellent food fish but usually not eaten (Ref. 27547).
The spawning run involves an upward migration beginnning as early as late June. The spawning act occurs at night or during the day. A female begins to swim vertically toward the surface, belly upstream. A male (sometimes 2 or 3) joins her and eggs and milt are released as fish approach the surface. The fish break the surface, fall away from each other and return to the bottom. After spawning most move downstream. The young of the year move downstream during their first year and do not return until they are sexually mature. Generally, the same spawning grounds are utilized yearly (Ref. 27547).
Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr, 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p. (Ref. 5723)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00537 (0.00264 - 0.01091), b=3.22 (3.05 - 3.39), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.5 ±0.43 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3-5).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (42 of 100).
