Class:
Pisces
Order:
Salmoniformes
Scientific Name:
Salvelinus Fontinalis
Range:
Northeastern part of Canada and the United States. Also has been introduced in North America, South America, New Zealand, Asia and many parts of Europe.
Habitat:
Clear, cool, well-oxygenated freshwater rivers and lakes, close to shore. Brook trout thrive in temperatures that remain below 18.8o C (66o F)
Diet:
Food habits vary according to life and history stage. A brook trout will eat virtually anything its mouth will accommodate. Anything from mayflies and midges to worms and frogs and even small mammals like voles.
Gestation:
The total time of incubation depends on factors such as temperature and oxygen.
Life Span:
seldom over 5 years but never beyond 8 years.
Description:
The body is elongated with an average length of 15-20 inches and an average weight of 2.2-13.2 lbs. The body has its greatest depth at, or in front of, the origin of the dorsal fin. It also has an adipose fin and a caudal fin that are slightly forked. Coloration is very distinct and can be spectacular. The back of the brook trout is dark, olive-green to almost black. Sides are lighter becoming silvery white ventrally. On the back and top of the head are wormy cream colored wavy lines which break up into spots on the side. The fins are also distinct. The dorsal and caudal fins have black lines and the anal, pelvic and pectoral fins have white edges followed by black then reddish coloration.
Behavior varies greatly depending on habitat. Some populations travel great distances to spawn others travel comparatively short distances upstream. There is a high amount of territorial behavior found in brook trout. Territory is established shortly after emergence from the reed as a result of aggressive behavior which increases when factors such as current velocity and the availability of food heighten.
Brook trout reach maturity on an average at the age of 2 and spawn once every year in late summer or autumn. Spawning grounds require loose clean gravel with a good supply of upwelling, oxygen-rich water. The female clears away debris and salt with rapid fanning of her caudal fin while on her side creating a redd which is a pit 4-12 inches in depth. Males compete for the spawning by nipping and displaying themselves to the competitor males. During spawning, eggs and milt are simultaneously discharged. After spawning, the female digs slightly upstream from the redd and lets the current carry down gravel to fill the redd. After hatched, the fry stay until the yolk sac is absorbed them swim up and out.
Did You Know?
Brook trout are highly sought after because of the popularity they can bring to community related recreational activities such as camping and boating and the need for gear, guides, and transportation all of which provide positive economic opportunities.
Brook trout are very specific when it comes to habitat. They require cold, clean, well-oxygenated water and consequently are very susceptible to urbanization and deforestation. For example, Ohio has only two naturally reproducing populations of brook trout left and now breeds brook trout populations in hatcheries then places them in other suitable habitats.
Where in the Zoo?
I can be found in the Wolf Wilderness at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
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