The rich orange coloured underbelly, pectoral and anal fins and half of the tail distinguish the males. Females have lighter blue under parts.
This is a small member of the salmon family with dark green/blue upper parts and light speckled flanks.
Discover more about the Arctic Charr
When to see
These fish are more visible at the spawning time in the winter between October and March. Adults spend most of their life in deep water in the dark peaty waters of lochs and are not seen.
Where to see
This fish is found throughout Scotland in large water deep lochs. They need very clean water to survive. Arctic char living in Scotland do not migrate to sea as part of their lifecycle.
Did you know?
It's likely that the Artic charr was the first fresh water fish to colonise Scotland after the last ice age. This fish is highly adapted to live in cold deep water and will be affected by climate change in the future as it is thought to be a relict species from the end of the last Ice Age. Arctic charr are a conservation feature in five Sites of Special Scientific Interest:
- Loch Eck
- Insh Marshes
- Loch Builg
- Loch of Girlsta
- Loch Doon
When to see
These fish are more visible at the spawning time in the winter between October and March. Adults spend most of their life in deep water in the dark peaty waters of lochs and are not seen.
Where to see
This fish is found throughout Scotland in large water deep lochs. They need very clean water to survive. Arctic char living in Scotland do not migrate to sea as part of their lifecycle.
Did you know?
It's likely that the Artic charr was the first fresh water fish to colonise Scotland after the last ice age. This fish is highly adapted to live in cold deep water and will be affected by climate change in the future as it is thought to be a relict species from the end of the last Ice Age. Arctic charr are a conservation feature in five Sites of Special Scientific Interest:
- Loch Eck
- Insh Marshes
- Loch Builg
- Loch of Girlsta
- Loch Doon
When to see
These fish are more visible at the spawning time in the winter between October and March. Adults spend most of their life in deep water in the dark peaty waters of lochs and are not seen.
Where to see
This fish is found throughout Scotland in large water deep lochs. They need very clean water to survive. Arctic char living in Scotland do not migrate to sea as part of their lifecycle.
Did you know?
It's likely that the Artic charr was the first fresh water fish to colonise Scotland after the last ice age. This fish is highly adapted to live in cold deep water and will be affected by climate change in the future as it is thought to be a relict species from the end of the last Ice Age. Arctic charr are a conservation feature in five Sites of Special Scientific Interest:
- Loch Eck
- Insh Marshes
- Loch Builg
- Loch of Girlsta
- Loch Doon
OTHER WILDLIFE SPECIES
©Wild Scotland 2024. All rights reserved.
Registered Company No: 303299 | Registered address: Wild Scotland, Suite 212, 8 Church Street, Inverness IV1 1EA
Registered Company No: 303299 | Registered address: Wild Scotland, Suite 212, 8 Church Street, Inverness IV1 1EA