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Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) — Salmonidae

Arctic cisco

Coregonus autumnalis
Family: Salmonidae
NativeIntroduced

The Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Salmonidae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Europe: Canada, Ireland, Russia, UK, Alaska
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Arctic cisco is a whitefish (Salmonidae) from cold waters of the Arctic Ocean and adjacent rivers. The species grows to about 65 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with an adipose fin and a small mouth. As a schooling fish it swims in clear lakes and cold rivers and filters zooplankton and small invertebrates. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arctic cisco?

The Arctic cisco has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Arctic cisco live?

The Arctic cisco lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. Europe: Canada, Ireland, Russia, UK, Alaska

How big does the Arctic cisco get?

The Arctic cisco grows to a maximum of about 65 cm. On average the species is around 47 cm.

Is the Arctic cisco dangerous to humans?

No, the Arctic cisco is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Arctic cisco edible?

Yes, the Arctic cisco is commonly eaten.

More photos

Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) — Salmonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Kurt Mazur, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) — Salmonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Cameron Eckert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Arctic cisco sourced
Scientific name
Coregonus autumnalis
Family
Salmonidae
Other names
Arctic cisco; Pollan verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Average length (cm)
47.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Europe: Canada, Ireland, Russia, UK, Alaska sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
12.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Coregonus

More from the family Salmonidae

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