Salmonids

Question 1

Salmonidae

Answer 1

Salmon, trout, chars, freshwater whitefish and graylings

Question 2

Life cycle of a salmonid

Answer 2

Anadromous; All salmonids spawn in fresh water but spend most of their life at sea, returning to fresh water only to reproduce

Question 3

What characteristics describe brook trout?

Answer 3

• Red spots with blue halos and yellow spots
• Wormlike pattern on back
• Wide edge on front of lower fin

Question 4

How can you distinguish a male brook trout from a female brook trout?

Answer 4

Males have a slightly hooked lower jaw called a kype. They also have brightly red underbellies during fall.

Question 5

What type of feeders are brook trout?

Answer 5

Opportunistic feeders; feed on whatever’s available

Question 6

Habitat requirements of brook trout

Answer 6

• Temperature 0-25 degrees Celsius, optimum growth at 13-18
• pH levels 4.0-9.5, optimum 6.5-8.0
• Cover is critical
• Clean, clear, well oxygenated water
• Well ventilated and exposed gravel for spawning
• Unobstructed waterways for migration

Question 7

Brook trout reproduction

Answer 7

• Spawn in early October, late December in headwater streams
• Redds (nests) built on upwelling groundwater
• Eggs incubate until February/early March

Question 8

Redds

Answer 8

Salmon nests

Question 9

How many eggs can a female brook trout weighing 0.5kg lay?

Answer 9

1,000-1,600 eggs/ lb of fish

Question 10

When are female brook trout sexually mature?

Answer 10

Usually by 2 years of age, all by age 3

Question 11

Characteristics to describe rainbow trout

Answer 11

• Pink lateral stripes

- Black spots on fins and body

Question 12

Characteristics to describe Atlantic Salmon

Answer 12

• Black spots on gill covers
• No spots on belly, large scales
• Slightly forked tail with no spots

Question 13

Habitat preferences of Atlantic Salmon

Answer 13

Young salmon prefer fast, flowing, shallow water

Question 14

Smolt

Answer 14

Young salmon ready to go to sea (1-3 years old)

Question 15

Grisle

Answer 15

Salmon that return to freshwater after only one year at sea

Question 16

MSW

Answer 16

Multi-sea water salmon; fish that spend 2 or more years at sea before returning to freshwater

Question 17

When do Atlantic salmon spawn?

Answer 17

During October/November

- Eggs hatch in march/April

Question 18

Alevins

Answer 18

Freshly-hatched salmon that remain in the gravel until the yolk sac is absorbed

Question 19

Parr

Answer 19

Young salmon that emerge in May or June (develop from the fry stage)

Question 20

Atlantic Salmon life cycle

Answer 20

Anadromous;

- Eggs, alevin, fry, parr, smolt, adult

Question 21

Other trout species found in Atlantic Canada

Answer 21

• Lake Trout
• Arctic char
• Brown trout