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Least cisco (Coregonus sardinella) — Salmonidae

Least cisco

Coregonus sardinella
Family: Salmonidae
NativeIntroduced

The Least cisco (Coregonus sardinella) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Salmonidae that grows up to 47 cm.

Length
47 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, Russia, Alaska
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Least cisco is a whitefish (Salmonidae) from cold waters of the Arctic Ocean, in Siberia and North America. The species grows to about 47 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 Least cisco?

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

Where does the Least cisco live?

The Least cisco lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. North America: Canada, Russia, Alaska

How big does the Least cisco get?

The Least cisco grows to a maximum of about 47 cm. On average the species is around 23 cm.

Is the Least cisco dangerous to humans?

No, the Least 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 Least cisco edible?

Yes, the Least cisco is commonly eaten.

More photos

Least cisco (Coregonus sardinella) — Salmonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Amiel Hopkins, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Least cisco (Coregonus sardinella) — Salmonidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Endicoh, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public domain)
Least cisco (Coregonus sardinella) — Salmonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) brameyer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Least cisco (Coregonus sardinella) — Salmonidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Endicoh/USFWS (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Least cisco sourced
Scientific name
Coregonus sardinella
Family
Salmonidae
Other names
Cisco; Lake herring; Least cisco; Sardine cisco; Big-eye Mackenzie herring; Siberian cisco verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.0 verified
Average length (cm)
23.0 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
North America: Canada, Russia, 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
26.0 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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