Dolly varden (Salvelinus malma malma) fish species and information / pictures of Dolly varden - Salvelinus malma malma

Dolly varden (Salvelinus malma malma) fish species information

Scientific Name
Salvelinus malma malma

Common Name
Dolly varden

Biology
Occurs in deep runs and pools of creeks and rivers; also in lakes and the sea (Ref. 5723). Lives in very clean mountain streams (Ref. 12218). Nerito-pelagic (Ref. 58426). Typically anadromous, but many populations are landlocked (Ref. 5723). Anadromous fish may spend 2-3 years at sea, evidently near shore, and migrate upstream to spawn (Ref. 5723). Young remain in streams for 3-4 years and feed on insects, leeches, snails, and salmon eggs (Ref. 1998) before entering brackish and salt water to feed on insects, fishes, and other invertebrates. Utilized fresh and eaten fried, broiled, and baked (Ref. 9988).

Classification

Classified By

Walbaum, 1792

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Salmons (Salmoniformes)

Family

Salmonids (Salmonidae)

Distribution

Region

Arctic, Northwest to Northeast Pacific

Distribution

Arctic, Northwest to Northeast Pacific: drainages from Alaska to Puget Sound, Washington, USA; formerly in McCloud River drainages in California, USA. Northwest Pacific: Korea to Bering Sea (Ref. 2850).

Range

71°N - 41°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

4 °C

Water Temperature To

18 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

200 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 200 m (Ref. 50550)

Trophic Level

4.23 s.e. 0.72 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

127 cm

Common Length

37.5 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; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (70 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=3-5)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated