Hucho perryi

Taxobox
name = Sakhalin taimen
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Salmoniformes
familia = Salmonidae
genus = "Hucho"
species = "H. perryi"
status = CR
status_system = iucn3.1

The Sakhalin taimen ("Hucho perryi") is a species of fish in the salmon family (family Salmonidae) of order Salmoniformes.

Description

Sakhalin taimen is one of largest, most ancient salmon species and primarily inhabitats the lower to middle reaches of lakes and rivers. Fishes over 30 cm long are almost exclusively piscivores, while the young feed mostly on aquatic insects. Females typically lay between 2,000-10,000 eggs in the spring on the sandy or gravelly river bottom. [Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea and W.B. Scott, 1991. World fishes important to North Americans. Exclusive of species from the continental waters of the United States and Canada. Am. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. (21):243 p.(from fishbase, Hucho perryi)] The largest fish caught was recorded at 9.45 kg / 20 lb 13 oz ("IGFA world record").

Range

Sakhalin taimen are found in the Northwest Pacific: Sakhalin Island (Russia), the Island of Hokkaidō (Japan) and parts of the far eastern Russian mainland. An anadromous form is located near the eastern shores of Hokkaido.

Threats

The global population of Sakhalin taimen has dwindled in recent years for a variety of reasons. The loss of more than 50% of their original habitat due to agriculture, urbanization, and more recently oil and gas development, is a major factor. Other considerable pressures include bycatch in the commercial salmon fisheries of Russia and Japan, as well as illegal fishing practices in Russia. The fish are also prized as trophies by Japanese recreational anglers. [Rand, Pete, PhD. [http://wildsalmoncenter.org/press/pr/threatened_taimen_pr0506.pdf "Ancient, Giant Salmon in Asia Edging Towards Extinction"] Wild Salmon Center, May 23, 2006.]

tatus

In 2006, the IUCN listed Hucho perryi as critically endangered based on the assessment completed by the Salmonid Specialist Group (SSG). This designation represents the highest potential risk of global extinction to the species. The assessment revealed that the range-wide population has dropped in size to less than 5% of historic levels. [Rand, Pete, PhD. [http://wildsalmoncenter.org/press/pr/threatened_taimen_pr0506.pdf "Ancient, Giant Salmon in Asia Edging Towards Extinction"] Wild Salmon Center, May 23, 2006.]

Notes

References

* Listed as Critically Endangered (CR A4abcd v3.1)
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