European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) fish species and information / pictures of European whitefish - Coregonus lavaretus

European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Coregonus lavaretus

Common Name
European whitefish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 3 - 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 3 - 5; Anal soft rays: 10 - 13. Mouth small with protruding upper jaw. Silvery body (Ref. 35388). Caudal fin with 19 soft rays (Ref. 40476).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Salmons (Salmoniformes)

Family

Salmonids (Salmonidae)

Distribution

Region

Europe

Distribution

Europe: Native to Lake Bourget (France) and Geneva (Switzerland, France). Population of Lake Aiguebelette (France) apparently introduced, but a 'lavaret' had already been recorded from there in the 17th century (Ref. 59043). Other authors assume it to be a superspecies occurring in Great Britain and Alpine areas of Central Europe. Has been stocked into many other places in Europe outside its native range. There are many parallel and wrong scientific names for this species in use because of the problems in classifying the genus Coregonus (Ref. 7495). Appendix III of the Bern Convention (protected fauna). Asia: introduced to Iran (Ref. 39702).

Range

73°N - 40°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

4 °C

Water Temperature To

16 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 20 - ? demersal; anadromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

3.08 s.e. 0.39 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

73.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (45 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.3-0.7; tm=3-4;)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (D2)