Coregonidae

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 619

Family Coregonidae

Whitefishes and ciscoes

The family comprises a variety of medium-sized to large fishes with slender and compressed, silvery bodies covered by numerous small scales (60–110), a dorsal adipose fin, and very small or absent teeth. The family includes anadromous and pure freshwater species in northern Europe, Asia, and North America. Most species are pelagic, form schools, and feed on small crustaceans. In autumn, both sexes develop nuptial tubercles on each lateral scale.

Whitefish are renowned for their propensity to evolve rapidly, particularly in European, Siberian, and North American lakes, where they adapt to specific ecological conditions and form their own niches. This has resulted in recognising numerous species, often endemic to a single or few lakes.

The majority of species have a high commercial value and are intensively fished. Some are cultivated, with fry of many populations and species produced artificially and stocked outside their native range, resulting in hybrid stocks and other manipulations. The genetic integrity of several wild populations and species is under threat, with several species now extinct following the formation of hybrid swarms and habitat modification. Two species have been introduced to lakes in the Caucasus, with one of them forming an endemic species of hybrid origin.

The anadromous Stenodus leucichthys is frequently reported from West Asia and found in the Caspian Sea. However, we are unaware of any confirmed records of this species entering rivers in the region, and it appears to have always been restricted to the northern, European part of the sea. Fish from the remaining population in the Volga may occasionally enter the Asian part of the Caspian Sea. However, it is doubtful that they will enter rivers to

Coregonus albula ; Lake Breiter Luzin, Germany; ~ 120 mm SL.

spawn and can be found in freshwater here. It The species is not included in the scope of this book. Further reading. Kottelat 1997 (species concepts, systematics, nomenclature).