Key Takeaways
| Fact | Description |
| Species Name | Ohrid Trout (Salmo letnica) |
| Native Range | Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia and Albania |
| Local Names | Oхридска пастрмка or ohridska pastrmka (Macedonian), Koran or Korani (Albanian) |
| Distinct Features | Bodies and heads a silver color. They also have black spots, mostly on the top part of their bodies. Sometimes, they even have red spots along their sides. |
Introduction
The Ohrid Trout is a special type of fish that you can only find in a few places. It lives in Lake Ohrid and its tributaries and outlet, the Black Drin River, in North Macedonia and Albania. People who live there have special names for this fish. In Macedonian, they call it “ohridska pastrmka” or “охридска пастрмка”, and in Albanian, it’s known as “Koran” or “Korani”.
Characteristics
The Ohrid Trout can grow up to 60 cm (23 in) long. Adults has their bodies and heads a silver color. They also have black spots, mostly on the top part of their bodies. Sometimes, they even have red spots along their sides. And guess what? Their meat is a pretty pink color!
Taxonomy and Subdivision
The Ohrid Trout is part of the brown trout complex, so its taxonomic status is controversial. However, it has been deemed to be genetically sufficiently distinct to be regarded as a distinct species for conservation arguments.
Within the Ohrid Trout, up to four intralacustrine forms have been separated, which are treated as distinct species in the FishBase and by the IUCN. These forms are characterized by different breeding areas and different breeding times, by which they are thought to be reproductively isolated from each other.
The four forms or species include:
- Salmo balcanicus: breeds in the outlet of the lake in its northwest end, in October–January; it is possibly extinct.
- Salmo lumi: breeds in January–February in the tributaries of the lake.
- Salmo aphelios: breeds in May–July near springs of the eastern shore of the lake.
- Salmo letnica: breeds in January–February.
Diet and Feeding Habits
While specific information on the diet of the Ohrid Trout is limited. When they are young, they eat zooplankton. But as they grow up, they start to eat both zooplankton and other fish.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Ohrid Trout is a single spawning species. They sexually mature when it’s about 5 or 6 years. The time when they spawn is in January and February.
Conservation Efforts
Since 2004 and until 2014, the government of Macedonia imposed fishing ban to protect the Ohrid Trout. While Albania, they made a law in 2003 that people can’t fish during the time when the fish are spawning. But for the rest of the year, there are no restrictions. Sadly, some people don’t follow this law and illegally fish, which is making the number of these fish go down.
Threats to the Ohrid Trout
The Ohrid Trout is having a tough time due to several threats. These threats include habitat destruction, overfishing, and pollution. Also, when there are development along the banks of Lake Ohrid, it can harm the habitat where the Ohrid Trout live. All these things are making it harder for the them to survive.
Conclusion
The Ohrid Trout is a unique species that is facing the threat of extinction due to overfishing. It is crucial that we continue to support conservation efforts to protect this species and maintain the biodiversity of Lake Ohrid.
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