The family Salmonidae includes salmon, trout, chars, whitefish, and graylings. These fish are distinguished by their streamlined bodies, adipose fin, and anadromous migration—most species hatch in freshwater, migrate to the ocean, then return to freshwater to spawn.
- Swimbladder, scales, and paired fins typical of bony fish
- Anadromous life cycle: freshwater → ocean → freshwater for reproduction
- Important ecologically and economically (fisheries, aquaculture)
Salmon, trout, and chars are members of the Salmonidae family.
Salmonidae are known for their anadromous migration.
Salmon (Salmo, Oncorhynchus)
Salmon are iconic members of Salmonidae, known for their impressive migrations and vital role in ecosystems. Genus Salmo includes Atlantic salmon, while Oncorhynchus covers Pacific salmon.
- Anadromous: hatch in freshwater, migrate to ocean, return to spawn
- Genus Salmo (Atlantic), Oncorhynchus (Pacific)
- Provide nutrients to freshwater ecosystems during spawning
Salmo and Oncorhynchus are the main genera for salmon.
Salmon transport nutrients from the ocean to freshwater ecosystems during spawning migrations.
Salmon do not have a pupa stage.
Trout (Salmo, Salvelinus)
Trout, closely related to salmon, include several genera such as Salmo (brown trout) and Salvelinus (chars). They inhabit freshwater and sometimes coastal waters.
- Freshwater species; some exhibit anadromous behavior like steelhead (genus Oncorhynchus)
- Genera: Salmo (brown trout), Salvelinus (chars)
- Popular for sport fishing due to their fighting ability
Trout are mainly in the genera Salmo and Salvelinus.
Most trout spend their life in freshwater, unlike the anadromous salmon.
Source Material
Author: NWT Federation
Document: Trout and Salmon - National Wild Turkey Federation
Date Published: 2022
Char (Salvelinus)
Chars are cold-water specialists distinguished by light spots on a darker body. They thrive in Arctic and subarctic regions.
- Genus: Salvelinus
- Prefer colder, oxygen-rich waters
- Include species like Arctic char and brook trout
Chars have distinctive light spots on a darker body.
Chars inhabit cold freshwater and subarctic lakes.
Whitefish (Coregoninae)
Whitefish, subfamily Coregoninae, have silvery bodies and feed mainly on benthic invertebrates. They are important in commercial fisheries.
- Subfamily: Coregoninae
- Found mainly in cold freshwater lakes and rivers
- Feed on benthic invertebrates, small fish
Whitefish are part of the Coregoninae subfamily.
Whitefish have silvery bodies, live in freshwater, and are not typically anadromous.
Salmonidae is a diverse family of bony fish notable for their specialized adaptations, including anadromous migrations and ecological roles in nutrient cycling. Understanding their unique traits helps appreciate their importance in aquatic ecosystems and fisheries worldwide.
- Key genera: Salmo, Oncorhynchus (salmon), Salvelinus (chars), Coregoninae (whitefish)
- Anadromous migration: iconic life cycle for salmon; others mostly freshwater
- Major ecological roles include nutrient transport and supporting food webs
Salmo, Oncorhynchus, and Salvelinus are key genera in Salmonidae.
Salmon transport marine nutrients to freshwater ecosystems.
Members include salmon, trout, chars, and whitefish.