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Blaufelchen (Coregonus wartmanni) — Salmonidae

Blaufelchen

Coregonus wartmanni
Family: Salmonidae
EN · Endangered
NativeIntroduced

The Blaufelchen (Coregonus wartmanni) is a freshwater fish of the family Salmonidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Crepuscular
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
The species is endemic to Lake Constance, where it lives as a pelagic whitefish in shoals in open water and spawns on the bottom or in open water.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blaufelchen is a slender whitefish of the family Salmonidae reaching about 50 cm. The streamlined, silvery body has a blue-grey back and an adipose fin between the dorsal and tail fins, characteristic of the salmonids. The species is endemic to Lake Constance, where as a pelagic whitefish it lives in schools in the open water and spawns on the bottom or in midwater. In open water it filters zooplankton, mainly water fleas and copepods. The whitefish form a taxonomically difficult complex, with many lakes holding their own, often endemic forms that spawn in different seasons and at different depths. With its fine flesh it is locally a valued commercial and sport fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blaufelchen?

The Blaufelchen has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender, silver salmonid with an adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fins; a whitefish that lives in shoals in cool, deep lake water.

Where does the Blaufelchen live?

The Blaufelchen lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. The species is endemic to Lake Constance, where it lives as a pelagic whitefish in shoals in open water and spawns on the bottom or in open water.

How big does the Blaufelchen get?

The Blaufelchen grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Blaufelchen dangerous to humans?

No, the Blaufelchen is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blaufelchen edible?

Yes, the Blaufelchen is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blaufelchen (Coregonus wartmanni) — Salmonidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Bloch, Marcus Elieser, 1723-1799; Krüger, junior, ill; Schmidt, Ludwig Carl, engraver; Schmidt, Johann Gottlieb, engraver; Schmidt, F. G., engraver; Bodenehr, G., engraver; Darchow, C., engraver; Berger, F. G., engraver; Schmidt, Friedrich Wilhelm, engraver; Schmidt, A. F., engraver; Gursch, C. F., engraver; Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887, former owner. DSI (No restrictions)
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All data

Identification

English name
Blaufelchen verified
Scientific name
Coregonus wartmanni
Family
Salmonidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Natural range
The species is endemic to Lake Constance, where it lives as a pelagic whitefish in shoals in open water and spawns on the bottom or in open water. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton, mainly water fleas and copepods sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Crepuscular inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
Seasonality
Spawns on gravel banks or in open water; it spends the rest of the year in shoals in deep water. sourced
Special features
Slender, silver salmonid with an adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fins; a whitefish that lives in shoals in cool, deep lake water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

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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