WHITEFISH : PYGMY

ENVIRONMENT YUKON

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WHITEFISH : PYGMY
Prosopium coulteri (Eigenmann & Eigenmann). Their range in the Yukon Territory is limited to the Alsek River system and the headquarters of the Yukon River. Squanga Lake, east of Whitehorse, has a sizeable population of pygmy whitefish. The pygmy whitefish has a cigar-shaped body, round in cross-section, short head, blunt snout and small mouth devoid of teeth. Adult fish are dark brown above, silvery below, and all fins are clear of any pigment. Little is known about their behaviour except that they are carnivorous, feeding on organisms such as aquatic insect larvae, crustaceans and small molluscs. Spawning occurs in autumn or early winter in lakes or streams with the eggs being scattered over gravel.