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Frost fish (Prosopium cylindraceum) — Salmonidae

Frost fish

Prosopium cylindraceum
Family: Salmonidae

The Frost fish (Prosopium cylindraceum) is a brackish-water fish of the family Salmonidae that grows up to 59 cm.

Length
59 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
4.0–72.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The round whitefish is a whitefish (Salmonidae) from North America and northeastern Asia. The species has a slender, almost round, silvery body with a small adipose fin between the dorsal and tail fins, characteristic of salmonids. It lives in shallow parts of cold lakes and clear streams and rarely enters brackish water. As a bottom hunter it feeds on insect larvae, small crustaceans, molluscs and fish eggs. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Frost fish?

The Frost fish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Frost fish live?

The Frost fish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Frost fish get?

The Frost fish grows to a maximum of about 59 cm. On average the species is around 29 cm.

Is the Frost fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Frost fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Frost fish edible?

Yes, the Frost fish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ronde marene sourced
English name
Frost fish verified
Scientific name
Prosopium cylindraceum
Family
Salmonidae
Other names
Menominee; Menominee whitefish; Pilot fish; Round fish; Round whitefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
59.0 verified
Average length (cm)
28.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
4.0 verified
Max depth (m)
72.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
16.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Prosopium

More from the family Salmonidae

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