Coomsaharn char facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coomsaharn char |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Salvelinus
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| Species: |
fimbriatus
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The Coomsaharn char (Salvelinus fimbriatus; the spellings Coomasaharn and charr are also used; Irish: ruabhreac Chom Sathairn) is a species of lacustrine char fish in the family Salmonidae.
It is only located in Lough Coomsaharn, County Kerry, Ireland.
Taxonomy
Name
The English word "char[r]" is thought to derive from Old Irish ceara/cera meaning "[blood] red," referring to its pink-red underside. This would also connect with its Welsh name torgoch, "red belly."
Lough Coomsaharn derives its name from the Irish Com Sathairn, "hollow of Saturday(?)".
Biology
Salvelinus fimbriatus spawns in November/December and feeds on zooplankton. It is distinguished from other Salvelinus in Ireland by large eyes, having 27–30 gill rakers, with 16–20 on the lower part (hence the species name fimbriatus, "fringed"). Also, its body depth is 20–25% of snout length, the snout is conical, and the lower jaw is not included in the upper one; an adaptation that helps it to feed on plankton.
History
The Coomsaharn char are a remnant fish of the Last Ice Age.
