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Grayling (Prosopium williamsoni) — Salmonidae

Grayling

Prosopium williamsoni
Family: Salmonidae

The Grayling (Prosopium williamsoni) is a freshwater fish of the family Salmonidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
5.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The mountain whitefish is a salmonid of the family Salmonidae from western North America. The species grows to about 70 cm and has a slender, silvery, cylindrical body with a small mouth and an adipose fin, characteristic of salmonids. It inhabits cool lakes and clear to somewhat turbid, fast-flowing rivers and streams. As a bottom searcher it feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates such as insect larvae, supplemented with fish eggs and small molluscs. The mountain whitefish is a valued sport fish and a local food fish. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grayling?

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

Where does the Grayling live?

The Grayling lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Grayling get?

The Grayling grows to a maximum of about 70 cm. On average the species is around 23 cm.

Is the Grayling dangerous to humans?

No, the Grayling is harmless to humans.

Is the Grayling edible?

Yes, the Grayling is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bergmarene sourced
English name
Grayling verified
Scientific name
Prosopium williamsoni
Family
Salmonidae
Other names
Ménomini des montagnes; Mountain whitefish; Rocky Mountain whitefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Average length (cm)
23.4 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
17.0 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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