ARCTIC GRAYLING

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ARCTIC GRAYLING
Thymallus arcticus (Pallas). Arctic grayling have a slender body, short head, unusually large eyes, small square shaped mouth, and a greatly enlarged dorsal fin. They may grow as large as 24 inches long and attain a weight of 5 pounds, but the average Yukon grayling would be less than 20 inches long with a weight under 2 pounds. They are vividly coloured fish, especially during the spawning period. The adult grayling have a dark purplish blue back and purplish grey sides with scattered black spots. The large dorsal fin with its rows of orange or emerald green spots edged with orange give the Arctic grayling male an iridescent peacock coloration. Terrestrial insects form the larger part of their diet, but they also feed on bottom nymphs, snails, small fish and eggs.