Sea trout

D-Meerforelle; GB- Sea trout; Brown trout; DK-Havørred; PL-Troć wędrowna; LT-Šlakis; LV-Taimiņš; EST-Meriforell; RU-Кумжа; FIN-Taimen; S-Öring

Characters

1) Adipose fin present and often slightly red-brownish coloured.
2) Mouth opening large, often reaching the bottom site of the eye.
3) Caudal peduncle rather short and thick.
Often 70 cm, max. up to 140 cm length.

Similar species

Atlantic salmon - caudal peduncle longer and thinner; greyish adipose fin (vs. brownish-red in sea trout).

Rainbow trout - red iridescent operculum and side line.

Pink salmon - black spots on caudal fin.

Asp - adipose fin absent.

Biology

After reaching sexual maturity with about 2 years they migrate stream upwards. Up to 10000 eggs are layed in spawning cavity, similar to Atlantic salmon. Most of the animals survive the spawning migration, return to Sea and are able to migrate several further times.

Diet

At sea they feed on fish like herring, sand eels, sticklebacks, but also on crustaceans; in fresh water feeds mainly on insect larvae and molluscs.

Importance

Of high commercial value: well-liked food and game fish.

Endangerment

Increasing endangerment and impact due to water pollution, river construction (impairment of spawn migration) and over fishing.