Salvelinus

Salvelinus is a genus of fish in the family Salmonidae, commonly referred to as chars. It comprises several cold-water species distributed across the boreal regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Members inhabit lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, and many exist as anadromous populations that migrate between sea and freshwater during their life cycle.

Notable species include the Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), the brook trout or speckled trout (S. fontinalis), the lake trout or mackinaw (S. namaycush), and the Dolly Varden (S. malma). A closely related and socially important form is the bull trout (S. confluentus).

Char are generally slender, with a pointed snout and a wide mouth suited to insect and small fish prey. Many species show light spots on a darker body, and females may develop humps near the dorsal fin in some populations. They often prefer cool, well-oxygenated waters.

Life histories vary; some populations are resident in freshwater, others are anadromous, returning to freshwater to spawn. Spawning occurs in gravelly streams or lake shorelines during winter or spring; eggs hatch into alevins, then fry. Growth and size at maturity differ among species and populations.

Salvelinus species are valued for sport fishing and some are important for subsistence in northern regions. They are affected by overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change, which alters water temperature and prey availability. Management emphasizes habitat protection, selective stocking, and monitoring of vulnerable populations.