Salmo ferox Jardine, 1835

Family:  Salmonidae (Salmonids), subfamily: Salmoninae
Max. size:  80 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 23 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: British Isles in Loughs Melvin, Erne, Corrib, and Mask (Ireland), Lochs Awe, Laggan and others (Scotland), apparently also Lakes Ullswater and Bassenthwaite (Cubmria) and Llyns Padarn and Peris (Wales).
Diagnosis:  Distinguished from its congeners in British Isles by its unique body depth about 4.6-5.0 times in SL. Differs further by the combination of the following characters: body brown to silvery, black spots small (equal to or smaller than pupil), few or absent; large size; and maxilla reaching beyond posterior margin of eye (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Inhabits large oligotrophic lakes. In Scotland, this species occurs usually in lakes inhabited by Salvelinus species on which it preys. Feeds on fishes and a variety of insects. In Scotland, preys on invertebrates until about 30 cm SL, then becomes piscivorous, feeding mostly on Salvelinus species. Spawns only in the larger and deeper tributaries (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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