Broad whitefish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Broad whitefish |
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Coregonus kennicotti Milner, 1883 |
The broad whitefish (Coregonus nasus) is a type of freshwater whitefish. It is a fish that lives in fresh water. This fish is dark and silvery, and it looks a bit like a herring.
It has some special features. Its head is rounded, and it has short gill rakers. Gill rakers are like tiny combs that help fish filter food from the water. The broad whitefish also has a slight overbite.
You can find this fish in the cold streams, lakes, and rivers of far eastern Russia and North America. These waters flow into the Arctic Ocean. The broad whitefish eats small insects, snails, and shellfish. Both humans and brown bears enjoy eating this fish.
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What Does the Broad Whitefish Look Like?
The broad whitefish is shaped like a herring. Its body is a bit flat from side to side. Its head is rounded, which makes it different from other whitefish.
This fish has a shiny, colorful look. Its back is a dark olive-brown color. Its sides are silvery-grey, and its belly is whitish. You can tell it apart from other fish by its slight overbite. It also has 18 to 25 short gill rakers.
Adult broad whitefish have grey fins. Younger fish also have grey fins. This fish can grow up to 70 centimeters (about 27 inches) long. It can weigh as much as 16 kilograms (about 35 pounds).
Where Do Broad Whitefish Live?
You can find the broad whitefish in northern Eurasia and North America. It lives in river systems that flow into the Arctic Ocean. This includes areas from the Pechora River in Russia to the Perry River in Canada.
Broad whitefish usually live in streams. But they also live in lakes and estuaries. Estuaries are where rivers meet the sea. The water there is a mix of fresh and salty water. Broad whitefish prefer estuaries that are not too salty.
Sometimes, broad whitefish from freshwater areas swim into ocean waters. They do this especially in winter. These fish live in open water near the shore. They are common and found in many places. There are no big threats to them right now. However, things like too much fishing or changes to rivers could affect them.
What Do Broad Whitefish Eat?
The broad whitefish eats many different things. They like tiny insects called chironomid midges. They also eat mosquito larvae. Other foods include snails, bivalves (like clams), and crustaceans (like small shrimp).
These fish often migrate upstream to lay their eggs. This means they swim against the current. This journey can be hard for them. Many fish get scars from parasites, lampreys, or fishing nets.
They like to lay their eggs in streams with gravel bottoms. They especially like areas with fine gravel. After the baby fish hatch, they swim downstream. In Russia, broad whitefish lay their eggs between July and November.
Broad Whitefish as Food
People often eat broad whitefish. It is an important food source for many communities. Its meat tastes good. People eat it fresh, smoked, or dried.
This fish is also known as Chir. It is used in a special Arctic Siberian dish called stroganina. This dish is made of thinly sliced, raw frozen fish.
brown bears also enjoy eating broad whitefish. They especially eat this fish when their favorite food, salmon, is not available.
