Powan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Powan |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
The powan (Coregonus clupeoides) is a special type of freshwater whitefish. It lives naturally in only two lakes (called lochs) in Scotland: Loch Lomond and Loch Eck. Scientists have also successfully moved some powan to two other places: Loch Sloy and the Carron Valley Reservoir.
Powan populations are generally doing well. However, another fish called the ruffe was brought into their lakes. Ruffe can eat powan eggs and young fish, which might harm the powan. To help the powan, people have tried to start new groups of them in four more lakes.
Contents
What is a Powan?
Scientists sometimes debate how to classify different types of fish. The powan from Scotland, along with similar fish from Wales (called gwyniad) and England (called schelly), are often thought to be part of a wider group. This group is known as the common whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus). This is because these fish look very similar and have very similar DNA.
However, some important groups like FishBase and the IUCN still consider the Scottish powan a unique species. They call it Coregonus clupeoides.
Where Do Powans Live and What Do They Eat?
Powan are benthopelagic fish. This means they live and feed both near the bottom of the lake and in the open water. They mostly eat insect larvae and small crustaceans that they find on the lakebed.
In Loch Lomond, powan move around a lot. Every day, they travel to different spots to find food. They also make bigger trips during the year to reach their breeding areas.
Powan Life Cycle and Reproduction
Before the breeding season, the male powan gather in deep water. They wait near special shallow areas with gravel and small stones, which are good for laying eggs. These areas are often washed by waves.
In late December and January, the males move into these shallow spots. The female powan, ready to lay eggs, join them there. They finish laying their eggs by early February. After breeding, the fish spread out to other parts of the lake.
Many animals like to eat powan eggs. These include brown trout (Salmo trutta), common roach (Rutilus rutilus), other powan, and even some insect larvae called Phryganea. Adult powan are also hunted by large fish like the northern pike (Esox lucius), especially when they are breeding.
See also
In Spanish: Coregonus clupeoides para niños
