Round whitefish

Round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) is a freshwater, brackish species recorded in the United States. It is found at depths of 4–72 m.

Scientific name: Prosopium cylindraceum · Water: Freshwater, Brackish

Size: up to 59 cm

About

The round whitefish is a benthopelagic salmonid that inhabits shallow areas of lakes and clear streams and rarely enters brackish water, and it is also found in rivers with a swift current and a stony bottom; its migration is limited to movements associated with spawning. It is recorded from 4 to 72 m. Adults feed on benthic invertebrates and occasionally on fishes and fish eggs. Its range is the Arctic and Pacific drainages from western Hudson Bay to Alaska and northern British Columbia, and the Arctic and Atlantic drainages from Quebec and Ontario to Connecticut, as well as the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes basin except Lake Erie; it also occurs in northern Asia. Maximum length is about 59 cm total length, commonly about 28.6 cm, and it can live 16 years, maturing at about 30 cm. It is a minor commercial species and a gamefish, with a very high price category. Fishing vulnerability is moderate to high at 51 of 100 and resilience low. IUCN lists it as least concern.

Ecology and habitat

Water layer
Near-bottom / mid-lower
Depth
4–72 m
Distribution status
Native
Trophic level
3.3
Maximum age
16 years

Fishery and market

Game fish
Yes
Market price
Very high
Resilience
Low

Methods

Sources

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