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Bull trout (Salvelinus malma) — Salmonidae

Bull trout

Salvelinus malma
Family: Salmonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bull trout (Salvelinus malma) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Salmonidae that grows up to 127 cm.

Length
127 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Dolly Varden is a salmonid char of the family Salmonidae from the North Pacific. The species has a streamlined, dark body with numerous pale pink to orange spots and can reach about 1.3 m. It inhabits very clear, cold mountain streams, rivers, lakes and the sea. The species is typically anadromous, but many populations live their whole lives in fresh water. Adults migrate upstream in autumn and spawn in spring. The diet consists of insects, snails, fish eggs and fishes. The species is a prized sport and food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bull trout?

The Bull trout has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bull trout live?

The Bull trout lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bull trout get?

The Bull trout grows to a maximum of about 127 cm. On average the species is around 38 cm.

Is the Bull trout dangerous to humans?

No, the Bull trout is harmless to humans.

Is the Bull trout edible?

Yes, the Bull trout is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dolly Vardenzalm sourced
English name
Bull trout verified
Scientific name
Salvelinus malma
Family
Salmonidae
Other names
Dolly varden verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
127.0 verified
Average length (cm)
37.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Gevangen in de sportvisserij en kleinschalige commerciële visserij. sourced
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 Salvelinus

More from the family Salmonidae

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