# Brook Trout (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) The Brook Trout is a small, colorful fish known for its bright spots! They are often found in clear, cold streams. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Cold, clean freshwater streams - **Also known as:** Eastern Brook Trout, Salter, Speckled Trout ![Brook Trout](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424809/objects/4658.jpg) ## Appearance The Brook Trout has a distinctive olive-green back with light, worm-like markings and striking red spots with blue halos along its sides. Its lower fins are orange with a prominent white leading edge, edged in black, making it easy to identify. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Salmoniformes - **Family:** Salmonidae - **Genus:** Salvelinus ## Interesting facts - Brook Trout build nests called "redds" on the riverbed to lay their eggs. - Male Brook Trout grow a hooked jaw called a "kype" during mating season. Wow! - They are actually a type of "char," not a true trout! - They are an indicator species, showing if water is clean and healthy. Wow! ## Special abilities - **River Camouflage:** Brook Trout has intricate patterns that help them blend perfectly with rocky riverbeds, hiding from predators. - **Cold-Water Power:** Brook Trout can thrive in super cold, oxygen-rich water because their bodies are adapted for chilly environments. - **Vibration Sensor:** Brook Trout can sense tiny vibrations in the water using a special lateral line, helping them find hidden prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 25-65 cm - **Weight:** 0.3-3 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-7 years - **Swim Speed:** 15 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 20 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding They are clever hunters, munching on aquatic insects, small fish, and other tiny water critters. - **Age differences:** Young fish eat mostly insects, while larger adults consume more small fish and crustaceans. - **Primary Foods:** aquatic insects, terrestrial insects, small fish, crayfish, minnows - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Osprey](https://www.snappit.app/explore/osprey) (*Pandion haliaetus*) — Ospreys dive from the sky to snatch Brook Trout from rivers and lakes. - **Eaten by:** [North American River Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-river-otter) (*Lontra canadensis*) — River otters are playful hunters that frequently prey on fish like trout. - **Eats:** Green Drake Mayfly (*Ephemera danica*) — Young Brook Trout love to feast on emerging mayfly nymphs and adults. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Brook Trout? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Brook Trout? 25-65 cm ### How much does Brook Trout weigh? 0.3-3 kg ### How long does Brook Trout live? 3-7 years ### What does Brook Trout eat? They are clever hunters, munching on aquatic insects, small fish, and other tiny water critters. ### How fast can Brook Trout swim? 15 km/h ### Where is Brook Trout usually found? Cold, clean freshwater streams ### How does Brook Trout hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Canton Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canton-center-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Enfield Shaker Museum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/enfield-shaker-museum) — New Hampshire, US · Museum - [Independence](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/independence) — Colorado, US · Neighborhood - [Quehanna Wild Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/quehanna-wild-area) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Rockywold-Deephaven Camps](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rockywold-deephaven-camps) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District [View all places to see Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/brook-trout) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) - [Atlantic Salmon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-salmon) (*Salmo salar*) --- Source: [Brook Trout: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout)