Coregonus lavaretus (Linnaeus, 1758)
European whitefish
photo by Østergaard, T.

Family:  Salmonidae (Salmonids), subfamily: Coregoninae
Max. size:  73 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 10,000.0 g
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 7 - 7.5; dH range: 20, anadromous
Distribution:  Europe: Native to Lake Bourget (France) and Geneva (Switzerland, France). Population of Lake Aiguebelette (France) apparently introduced, but a 'lavaret' had already been recorded from there in the 17th century (Ref. 59043). Other authors assume it to be a superspecies occurring in Great Britain and Alpine areas of Central Europe. Has been stocked into many other places in Europe outside its native range. There are many parallel and wrong scientific names for this species in use because of the problems in classifying the genus Coregonus (Ref. 7495). Asia: introduced to Iran (Ref. 39702).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 3-5; Anal soft rays: 10-13. Mouth small with protruding upper jaw. Silvery body (Ref. 35388). Caudal fin with 19 soft rays (Ref. 40476).
Biology:  Gregarious lacustrine forms (Ref. 2163) and anadromous estuarine forms, rarely in full saltwater. Feeds on planktonic crustaceans, or larger benthic crustaceans in brackish water. Movement in water column as a function of zooplankton repartition (Ref. 2163). Spawns in gravel, near shore, in shallow water, in December (Ref. 59043). Likely to benefit from environmental regulations in France passed on 8/12/88 (Ref. 2163).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 (D2) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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