European Whitefish

Identification

The whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) is a robust salmonid that can reach 70 cm. The body is elongated and silvery with a blue-green to grey back. The snout is blunt and the mouth is small and subterminal. The adipose fin is well-developed. It can be distinguished from the vendace by its larger size and blunter snout.

Ecology

The whitefish is a cold-water fish of deep, oligotrophic (nutrient-poor) lakes, and in some populations anadromous. The species feeds on benthic fauna, zooplankton and insect larvae. Spawning takes place in winter on shallow, gravelly beds. It is a species complex with many local forms, making taxonomy complicated.

In the Netherlands

With only 3 observations in our database, the whitefish is extremely rare in the Netherlands. Dutch waters are generally too warm, too shallow and too nutrient-rich for this cold-water species. Occasional observations may concern stocked or escaped specimens. In the Alpine countries and Scandinavia, the whitefish is a valued sport fish and an important part of local cuisine.