Eulachon

📖 Overview

Found near shore and in coastal inlets and rivers . Possibly to 625 m depth . Spends most of its life in the sea, returning to freshwater streams to spawn . There is evidence of return to natal streams . May migrate up to 160 km upstream. Feeds on plankton and only while at sea (11699, 10276). Excellent food fish and source of oil (15% body wt.). Anadromous .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18 - 23; Vertebrae: 65 - 72. Distinguished by the large canine teeth on the vomer and 18 to 23 rays in the anal fin . Adipose fin sickle-shaped; paired fins longer in males than in females; all fins with well developed breeding tubercles in ripe males which are poorly developed or absent in females . Adult coloration is brown to blue on back and top of the head, the sides lighter to silvery white, and the ventral surface white; speckling is fine, sparse and restricted to the back; peritoneum is light with black speckles . Fins transparent, pectorals and caudal often dusky . During spawning, male fish has a distinctly raised ridge along the middle of the body and a rough texture, differentiating it from the female which is smaller, smoother and shinier.: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Eulachon is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

The spawning run from the sea to freshwater streams begins when river temperature rises to about 4.4° but the fish stop running if temperature exceeds 7.8°C. Males predominate the early part of the run, but their numbers are equalled or exceeded by females later . Adults usually die after spawning but some move back to the sea and return to spawn a second time . Upon hatching, larvae are found near the bottom and are soon carried downstream to salt water and eventually found in the scattering layer of coastal waters .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; anadromous ; depth range 0 - 300 m . Temperate; 61°N - 40°N, 171°W - 121°W North Pacific: west of Saint Matthew Island and Kuskokwim Bay in the Bering Sea, and Bowers Bank in the Aleutian Islands to Monterey Bay, California, USA.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Eulachon is an edible species."

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient	Amount
Protein	14.8 g
Omega-3 (total)	1,230 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Eulachon has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (oily fish average)

📊 Population Dynamics

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name	Author	Year	Status
Lestidium parri	Chapman	1939	Synonym
Osmerus albatrossis	Jordan & Gilbert	1898	Synonym
Osmerus pacificus	Richardson	1836	Synonym
Salmo pacificus	Richardson	1836	Synonym
Thaleichthys stevensi	Girard	1858	Synonym

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 29 records indexed .

👥 Community & Contribute