Common Name:
Rainbow trout
Scientific Name:
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Unique Qualities:
The rainbow trout is commonly used as a laboratory animal for water quality. They’re called rainbow trout because its colour varies from metallic blue to green or yellow-green to brown on the back, becoming silvery on the sides. Black spots cover the head, back, sides and fins and spots on the tail are in rows.
Can be Seen:
Rainbow trout can be seen in the Pacific Ocean and the fresh waters of western North America. They range from Mexico to Alaska and inland to the Rockies.
Likes to Hang Out:
Rainbow trout like to hang out in lakes or ponds and they spend part of their lives at sea before returning to freshwater to reproduce. They like water temperatures of 12 to 18 degrees Celsius. They also like clear, cool deep lakes.
Likes to Eat:
Rainbow trout eat a wide variety of foods, but in freshwater they eat mainly insects, crustaceans, snails, leeches, and other fish if available. At sea they eat mainly fish, crustaceans and squid.
Status:
Rainbow trout, like all other trout and fish in Canada are under constant threat of exploitation through the fishing industry. Their population has remained steady despite competition from salmon and other similar species.
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Map credit: The rainbow trout habitat map is Copyright Earth Day Canada and uses a map by Planiglobe. The original map is licensed under a Creative Commons Attibution 2.5 license.
