Overview
Differs from all other North American whitefish and ciscoes in having only one flap between the openings of the nostrils, instead of two. It is recognized by its' cylindrical body shape and silvery coloration. The back is sepia brown to almost bronze with a greenish tinge. The scales, particularly on the back are edged with black. The lower fins are an amber shade becoming slightly more orange at spawning. The adipose fin is usually brown spotted.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Salmonidae
- Genus
- Prosopium
- Species
- cylindraceum
Habitat
Round whitefish inhabit cold, clear freshwater lakes and rivers, often in deep waters with temperatures below 15°C. They prefer areas with rocky or gravel substrates and are commonly found in northern regions like the Great Lakes, Alaska, and Siberian rivers. These habitats provide ample oxygen and protection from warmer surface waters.
Diet
Round whitefish primarily feed on zooplankton, aquatic insects, and small crustaceans found in the water column. They are bottom feeders, often consuming midge larvae and other benthic organisms, with feeding activity peaking at dawn and dusk in deeper waters. Their opportunistic diet helps them adapt to varying food availability in cold environments.
Behavior
Round whitefish are schooling fish that typically form loose groups in deep waters during the day and move to shallower areas at night for feeding. They are generally inactive during the hottest parts of the day and exhibit migratory behavior for spawning. While not highly territorial, they may compete for food in dense populations.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.