Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a saltwater, freshwater, brackish species recorded in the United States. It is found at depths of 0–70 m.
Scientific name: Salvelinus alpinus · Water: Saltwater, Freshwater, Brackish
Size: up to 107 cm
The Arctic char is a nerito-pelagic salmonid that occurs in the sea along coasts, in estuaries and in rivers and lakes with cold, clear water, and it is found in the deep runs and pools of medium to large rivers. Anadromous forms spend a considerable part of their lives at sea while non-migratory populations remain in lakes and rivers. Freshwater populations feed on planktonic crustaceans, amphipods, mollusks, insects and fishes, while anadromous individuals feed little in fresh water and not at all during migration; spawning usually takes place on pebble to stone bottom in lakes. Its range is circumpolar in Europe and North America, including Iceland and Scandinavia, northern Russia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland, though it is absent from the Alps. Maximum length is about 107 cm total length, commonly about 40 cm, and it can live 40 years, maturing at about 60 cm. It is a minor commercial species and a gamefish, with a very high price category. Fishing vulnerability is high to very high at 70 of 100 and resilience low, and climate vulnerability is high to very high at 71 of 100. IUCN lists it as least concern.
Back to home · United States · Species library