Fishby LogoFishby

Brown Trout

Sicuro

Salmo trutta trutta

Conosciuto anche come: River Trout, Brownie, Fario Trout, European Brown Trout

Hai una foto? Identifica i pesci all'istante con l'app Fishby.

Apri l'app

Descrizione

Salmo trutta trutta, commonly known as the Brown Trout or Fario Trout, is a highly adaptable and widely distributed species of salmonid fish. It is the anadromous (sea-run) form of Salmo trutta, though the 'fario' designation specifically refers to the freshwater resident forms, particularly those inhabiting rivers and streams. This species exhibits significant phenotypic plasticity, leading to a wide range of appearances and life histories depending on its environment. It is highly prized by anglers for its fighting qualities and by gourmands for its culinary value. Ecologically, it is a keystone predator in many freshwater systems.

Caratteristiche fisiche

Forma del corpo
torpedo
Colorazione
Highly variable. Dorsal side typically olive-brown to dark brown, fading to yellowish-brown or golden on the flanks, and silvery-white on the belly. Characterized by numerous dark spots (often black or dark brown) on the back and sides, frequently encircled by a lighter halo. Red or orange spots, also often haloed, are common along the lateral line and flanks. Fin coloration matches body, with some fins having dark spots.
Tipo di squame
cycloid
Posizione della bocca
terminal
Caratteristiche distintive
Adipose fin present (a small, fleshy fin between the dorsal and caudal fins)., Vomerine teeth present, typically in a double row., Large mouth extending beyond the posterior margin of the eye., Relatively small scales compared to other freshwater fish.
Pinna dorsale
Single dorsal fin, typically with 10-14 rays. Adipose fin present.
Pinna caudale
Caudal fin typically square or slightly emarginate in younger fish, becoming more truncate with age.
Pinna pettorale
Paired pectoral fins, relatively small.
Pinne distintive
Pelvic fins are abdominal, located well behind the pectoral fins. All fins are soft-rayed except for the adipose fin.

Consigli per l'identificazione

Coloration and Spotting

Look for the characteristic dark spots (often haloed) and frequently red/orange spots along the flanks. The overall body color is highly variable but generally brownish-gold.

Mouth Size

The mouth is relatively large, extending past the posterior margin of the eye, a key differentiator from some other salmonids.

Adipose Fin

Presence of a small, fleshy adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fins confirms it as a salmonid.

Vomerine Teeth

Examination of the vomerine teeth (on the roof of the mouth) reveals a double row, which helps distinguish it from Pacific salmon species.

Tail Shape

The caudal fin is typically square or slightly emarginate, not deeply forked like some other trout species (e.g., Rainbow Trout).

Habitat

Tipo di acqua
freshwater
Profondità
Typically found in shallow to moderate depths (0.5 to 5 meters) in rivers and streams, but can inhabit deeper sections of lakes.
Ambiente
Cold, clear, well-oxygenated freshwater environments. Prefers fast-flowing rivers and streams with gravel or rocky bottoms, abundant cover (undercut banks, submerged logs, boulders), and riparian vegetation. Also found in cold, oligotrophic to mesotrophic lakes. Requires clean water for spawning.
Areale geografico
Native to Europe and parts of Asia, from Iceland and northern Scandinavia south to the Atlas Mountains in North Africa, and east to the Aral Sea basin. Widely introduced globally, including North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Africa and Asia, making it one of the most widely distributed freshwater fish species.

Informazioni sull'acquario

  • Livello di cura: expert
  • Temperamento: territorial
  • Dieta: carnivore
  • Dimensione minima della vasca: Not suitable for typical home aquaria; requires very large, specialized cold-water systems (e.g., public aquariums, research facilities) due to size, activity level, and specific environmental needs.
  • Temperatura: 4°C - 18°C (39°F - 64°F)
  • Livello di pH: 6.0 - 8.0
  • Durezza: 50 - 200 ppm (soft to moderately hard)
  • Compatibilità: Generally solitary or with conspecifics of similar size in very large systems; highly predatory towards smaller fish.
  • Requisiti speciali: Requires highly oxygenated, cold, clean water with strong filtration and flow. Sensitive to water quality fluctuations. Needs ample swimming space and hiding spots. Not recommended for private aquarists due to specialized needs and size.

Informazioni in natura

  • Stato di conservazione: least concern
  • Stagionalità: Spawns typically in autumn (October-December). Fishing seasons vary by region, generally open from spring to autumn, with closures during spawning.
  • Prezzo di mercato: Varies significantly by region, size, and whether wild-caught or farmed. Can range from €10-€30/kg for farmed, higher for wild.
  • Importanza commerciale: medium
  • Sapore: Mild, delicate, slightly nutty, often described as richer than rainbow trout.
  • Consistenza: Flaky, firm, moist, and tender.
  • Metodi di cottura: Baking, Grilling, Pan-frying, Smoking, Poaching
  • Valore nutrizionale: Excellent source of lean protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, and B vitamins.

Fatti chiave

Phenotypic Plasticityevolution

Salmo trutta exhibits remarkable phenotypic plasticity, meaning individuals can look very different depending on their environment. This has led to various forms being recognized, including the anadromous 'sea trout' (Salmo trutta trutta), the freshwater resident 'river trout' or 'brown trout' (Salmo trutta fario), and the lake-dwelling 'lake trout' (Salmo trutta lacustris). Genetically, they are all the same species.

Dietary Generalistsbehavior

Brown Trout are opportunistic predators with a highly varied diet. Juveniles feed on aquatic insects and zooplankton, while adults consume a wide range of invertebrates (insects, crustaceans, mollusks) and increasingly switch to piscivory, preying on smaller fish, amphibians, and even small mammals or birds that fall into the water.

Territorial Naturebehavior

Adult Brown Trout are highly territorial, especially dominant individuals, defending prime feeding and resting lies from conspecifics and other species. This behavior is particularly pronounced in stream environments.

Longevity and Sizerecord

While many stream-dwelling Brown Trout live 3-5 years and reach 20-40 cm, lake-dwelling or anadromous forms can live much longer (up to 20 years) and attain significantly larger sizes, with some individuals exceeding 1 meter in length and weights over 20 kg.

Spawning Migrationbehavior

Brown Trout undertake upstream migrations to spawn in gravel-bottomed riffles of rivers and streams. The female digs a 'redd' (nest) where eggs are deposited and fertilized, then covered with gravel. This process is crucial for the species' reproduction and requires clean, undisturbed spawning grounds.

Informazioni di sicurezza

Sicuro
  • Livello di sicurezza: safe
  • Velenoso: No
  • Commestibilità: edible
  • Note sul maneggio: Handle with wet hands to protect the fish's slime coat, especially if practicing catch-and-release. Minimize time out of water. Use barbless hooks to reduce injury. No sharp spines or venomous parts.

Specie simili

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Rainbow Trout typically have a prominent pink or red lateral stripe, more numerous and smaller black spots (often extending onto the caudal fin), and a more deeply forked caudal fin. Their vomerine teeth are typically in a single row or absent.

Atlantic Salmon (Parr)

Salmo salar

Juvenile Atlantic Salmon (parr) can be confused with Brown Trout. Salmon parr typically have fewer, larger black spots, often with a single red spot between each parr mark. Their caudal fin is more deeply forked, and the pectoral fin is longer, often reaching past the origin of the dorsal fin. The maxilla of Atlantic Salmon parr usually does not extend beyond the posterior margin of the eye.

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook Trout (a char, not a true trout) have distinctive worm-like markings (vermiculations) on their back and dorsal fin, white leading edges on their pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins, and red spots with blue halos (areolae) on their flanks. Their caudal fin is typically square or slightly emarginate.

Classificazione scientifica

Regno
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Classe
Actinopterygii
Ordine
Salmoniformes
Famiglia
Salmonidae
Genere
Salmo
Specie
Salmo trutta

Esplora Brown Trout

Identifica pesci ovunque

Gratis su iOS, Android e Web. Identificazione tramite foto, dettagli completi sulle specie e molto altro.

Apri nell'app