The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Trouts

Brown Trout, Salmo trutta

 
Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Compressed body
ï¿½	Terminal mouth, and jaw angle behind the eye  
ï¿½	Dark and red spotting on the body 
ï¿½	Small adipose fin 
ï¿½	Moderate-sized dorsal fin starting at the midlength of the body 
ï¿½	Broad, forked tail fin 
ï¿½	Large breeding males develop a kype on the lower jaw

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 160-630 mm standard length

Habitat:
ï¿½	Cold creeks, streams, rivers, tailwaters of reservoirs, ponds, and lakes over clean gravel

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Stocked by the VDGIF statewide 
ï¿½	Naturalized populations exist in many Virginia streams
ï¿½	Pee Dee, Tennessee, New, and Atlantic slope drainages 

Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Aquatic insects, isopod and amphipod crustaceans
ï¿½	Larger trout eat fish, crayfish, frogs

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature in 1-4 years 
ï¿½	Spawning occurs in late October through November in water that is 6.7-8.9OC 
ï¿½	Trout excavate a nest (redd) in shallow, gravel pool-riffle areas 
ï¿½	Fecundity is 100-2,400 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Brown trout are an exotic species that may outcompete native brook trout populations  

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):

Brook Trout

Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout

Continue Browsing Families.....