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Introduction
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The
Arctic Char, Salvelinus alpinus, in Ireland Morphology
The colouration of arctic char is also variable. Generally sea run fish are entirely silver with a pink or lilac sheen. Landlocked populations vary from silvery gray to muddy brown. Parr markings may be present in fish of all sexes and ages in some populations. But the char is at its most splendid when in breeding season. The males’ normal blue, green, silver or brown backs may become offset by yellow striped flanks with vivid red, white, pink or orange spots and brightly coloured red or orange bellies. Paired fins become bright orange with white leading edges. The females generally develop a silver lilac sheen with a light coloured belly. Their beauty is, unlike their suitors, understated.
 Copyright
2003. ICCG ©2003 |
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The
arctic char is a typical salmonid. In general it is slightly more
rounded, with a blunter head and may exhibit slight lateral compression
compared to brown trout. Both the eye and mouth are large, the mouth
extending past the rear margin of the eye. However, as discussed
above, char can be extremely variable, especially those from landlocked
populations where they have adapted to local conditions. The morphology
of char populations from different regions and even from some lakes
can be quite distinctive. Examples of char which superficially resemble
trout, salmon parr or other species of char can be differentiated
by the number of teeth on the vomerine bone.
