Arctic char
Salvelinus alpinus
Salvelinus alpinus, commonly known as Arctic char, is a cold-water fish that typically grows to about 30–70 cm in length.
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About this species
Species identity
Salvelinus alpinus, commonly known as Arctic char, is a cold-water fish that typically grows to about 30–70 cm in length. It lives in both freshwater and marine environments, depending on the population. Its body color can vary, but it often has a dark back and lighter sides, with bright red or orange colors during the breeding season.
Where it lives
Salvelinus alpinus is found in Arctic and subarctic regions across the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs in cold lakes, rivers, and coastal marine waters in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Some populations remain in freshwater their entire lives, while others migrate between rivers and the sea.
This species prefers cold, clean, and well-oxygenated waters.
Role in the ecosystem
Arctic char helps explain how marine food webs function through its ecological role, habitat use, and connection to broader ecosystem change.
Scientific reference
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Ocean Literacy Connections
This resource can be explored through Ocean biodiversity.
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