Biology:Biwa trout

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of fish

Biwa trout
Biwa Trout(Lake Biwa-JP).jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Salmoniformes
Family: Salmonidae
Genus: Oncorhynchus
Species:
O. rhodurus
Binomial name
Oncorhynchus rhodurus
D. S. Jordan & E. A. McGregor, 1925
Synonyms
Oncorhynchus masou rhodurus

The Biwa trout (Oncorhynchus rhodurus) is an anadromous salmonid fish of the genus Oncorhynchus, endemic to Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Japan , but also introduced to Lake Ashi and Lake Chūzenji. While called trout, the fish is most closely related to the masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) of the western Pacific, and is most often considered a subspecies of it, Oncorhynchus masou rhodurus.[1]

Biwa trout is found only in the waters of northern Lake Biwa, and feeds on plankton, freshwater prawns, aquatic insects, worms, ayu and other small fishes, and sometimes small mammals. Adult Biwa trout usually range from 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) in length and 1.5 to 2.5 kg (3.3 to 5.5 lb) in weight, although large specimens can be up to 70 cm (28 in) long and 5.0 kg (11.0 lb) in weight.

Use as food

Biwa trout represents a unique food fish for the Shiga Prefecture. Biwa trout and its caviar are considered a delicacy. Usual ways to prepare the trout is as sashimi, by grilling with salt, in meuniere, or by smoking, deep-frying or simmering, etc. The fish has a reputation as being very difficult to catch by angling.

References

  1. rhodurus, Oncorhynchus In: W. Eschmeyer: Catalog of Fishes Online Database. California Academy of Sciences. Downloaded 16 Feb 2015

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q74350 entry