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Coregonus nasus (Pallas, 1776)
Broad Whitefish
Family: Salmonidae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

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Map


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Source: Distribution map provided by Don McPhail for E-Fauna BC

Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 14; Vertebrae: 60 - 65. Distinguished by its short gill rakers, which are less than one-fifth as long as the interorbital width, and the rounded to flat profile of the head (Ref. 27547). Adipose fin fairly large; axillary process present in the pelvic fins (Ref. 27547). Olive-brown to nearly black on back; sides silvery, often with a gray cast; belly white to yellowish; fins usually rather gray in adults, pale in young (Ref. 27547).

Source: FishBase. Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea and W.B. Scott 1991 Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. Am. Fish. Soc. Spec. Pub. (20):183 p.

Biology

Species Biology

Most frequently in streams (Ref. 5723). Nerito-pelagic (Ref. 58426). Lacustrine and estuarine anadromous forms exist (Ref. 593). Feeds on aquatic insect larvae, small mollusks and crustaceans (Ref. 1998). Flesh is highly esteemed (Ref. 1998).

Source: FishBase. Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea and W.B. Scott 1991 Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. Am. Fish. Soc. Spec. Pub. (20):183 p.

Distribution

BC Distribution and Notes

The only known population of broad whitefish in B.C. is in Teslin Lake. Nothing is known about its biology or interactions with the lake whitefish. The only published reports on this species in North America are from Alaska and the Northwest Territories. Most of the reports refer to anadromous populations and the Teslin fish represent an isolated freshwater-resident population. Two whitefish species (broad whitefish and inconnu) in Teslin Lake harbours are isolated lacustrine populations that warrant more study.

Source: Information provided by Don McPhail for E-Fauna BC.
Global Distribution

Arctic: east from Pechora River, Russia (Ref. 593) to northern America: Arctic drainages from Perry River in Northwest Territories, Canada to Kushokwim River (Bering Sea tributary), Alaska.

Source: FishBase. Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea and W.B. Scott 1991 Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. Am. Fish. Soc. Spec. Pub. (20):183 p.
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Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS2S3RedNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

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 University of Alaska Museum

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