Latin name

Salvelinus andriashevi

Identification

The Chukot char is a relative of the Pacific whitespotted char (Salvelinus leacomaenis). Its body is low and elongated, and the length of its head is greater than its maximum body height. It has a small mouth with short jaws and fine teeth. The upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw and protrudes prominently forward. There are 12 gill rays. The branchial stamens on the first arch are 14.

Features of fish fins

These fish have a dorsal fin with three unbranched rays and ten branched rays. The anal fin has three unbranched rays and nine branched rays. The caudal fin is slightly notched.

Fish colouring

The Chukot char has a dark gray head and back, and a silvery-white belly and sides. The paired fins and the anal fin are red. When in their mating attire, the head and back are gray, the lips are yellow, the body sides are gray-green, and the belly is pink or red. The mouth cavity is white. There are round light spots on the sides of the body, each the size of a pupil or larger (there are no such spots on the head). 

Distribution

This species of fish is described based on a single male specimen collected from freshwater Lake Estikhet near Providence Bay on the Chukchi Peninsula in Russia.

Habitat

This is a boreal freshwater benthopelagic species. They occur near the bottom in shallow, sandy-pebbled waters near the shore over coarse clastic substrates.

Size

The maximum length of this species' male is 29.9 cm.

The following measurements are expressed as a percentage of body length (299 mm): head length, 21.7%; greatest body height, 19.4%; antedorsal distance, 43.8%; anteventral distance, 52.7%; and least body height, 8.5%. Percentage of head length (65 mm): eye diameter, 15.4%; snout length, 32.3%; upper jaw length, 52.3%; lower jaw length, 61.5%.

Behavior

This is a lake-dwelling, non-passable species of fish. Its biology is not well understood. Their current numbers are not precisely known.

Food and feeding habits

The Chukchi people feed on crustaceans and their own eggs.

Reproduction

Males reach maturity at 25 cm, while females reach maturity at 28 cm. They breed in late August and early September. It apparently does not build nests and lays eggs on stony ground. The eggs are yellow and 3.7–5.5 mm in diameter.

Fishing

This species is not commercially important.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.