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Bloater (Coregonus hoyi) — Salmonidae

Bloater

Coregonus hoyi
Family: Salmonidae

The Bloater (Coregonus hoyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Salmonidae that grows up to 37 cm.

Length
37 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
30.0–190.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, USA

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Description

The bloater is a deepwater whitefish (Salmonidae) from the Great Lakes of North America. The species grows to about 37 cm and has a slender, silvery body with an adipose fin, typical of the salmonids. As an open-water dweller of the deep, cold water it swims in schools and feeds on small zooplankton and bottom crustaceans, migrating vertically each day with its prey. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bloater?

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

Where does the Bloater live?

The Bloater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America: Canada, USA

How big does the Bloater get?

The Bloater grows to a maximum of about 37 cm. On average the species is around 26 cm.

Is the Bloater dangerous to humans?

No, the Bloater 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.

More photos

Bloater (Coregonus hoyi) — Salmonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ryan Grow, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bloater (Coregonus hoyi) — Salmonidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Charles Bradford Hudson (Public domain)
Bloater (Coregonus hoyi) — Salmonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ryan Grow, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bloater (Coregonus hoyi) — Salmonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ryan Grow, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bloater sourced
Scientific name
Coregonus hoyi
Family
Salmonidae
Other names
Bloater verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
37.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
190.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Canada, USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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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