# Rainbow Trout (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) The Rainbow Trout is a colorful fish found in rivers and lakes! They are known for their bright, rainbow-colored stripes. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 31 - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and lakes - **Also known as:** Oncorhynchus mykiss, Steelhead, Trout ![Rainbow Trout](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771438802/objects/4656.jpg) ## Appearance The Rainbow Trout has an elongated body with a distinctive pink or red stripe along its silvery-green sides. Its back is typically olive or bronze, speckled with small, dark spots, making it stand out from plainer fish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Salmoniformes - **Family:** Salmonidae - **Genus:** Oncorhynchus ## Interesting facts - Amazingly, these fish have excellent eyesight to spot tiny insects from afar. - Some Rainbow Trout, called 'steelhead,' travel to the ocean and return! - Their dazzling 'rainbow' colors get even brighter during spawning season. - They build special gravel nests, called 'redds,' on riverbeds for their eggs. ## Special abilities - **Leaping Power:** Rainbow Trout can leap high out of the water to catch flying insects or overcome river obstacles. - **Vibration Sensor:** Rainbow Trout has a lateral line system that helps them detect vibrations in water to find prey. - **Color Shifter:** Rainbow Trout can subtly adjust their skin colors to blend in better with their surroundings. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-70 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-2.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-6 years - **Swim Speed:** 12 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 15 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding Rainbow Trout eat a mix of tiny animals, both in and on the water, plus some plants. - **Age differences:** Younger trout primarily eat small insects; older trout add larger insects and small fish. - **Primary Foods:** Aquatic insects, Flying insects, Small crustaceans, Minnows, Fish eggs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Osprey](https://www.snappit.app/explore/osprey) (*Pandion haliaetus*) — Ospreys dive to catch them from the water. - **Eaten by:** [North American River Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-river-otter) (*Lutra canadensis*) — Otters hunt them in rivers and lakes. - **Hunts:** Midge larva (*Chironomus riparius*) — Trout feast on these tiny aquatic insects. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [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. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [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. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## 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 Rainbow 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 Rainbow Trout? 30-70 cm ### How much does Rainbow Trout weigh? 0.5-2.5 kg ### How long does Rainbow Trout live? 4-6 years ### What does Rainbow Trout eat? Rainbow Trout eat a mix of tiny animals, both in and on the water, plus some plants. ### How fast can Rainbow Trout swim? 12 km/h ### Where is Rainbow Trout usually found? Freshwater rivers and lakes ### How does Rainbow Trout hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Hakone Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hakone-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Six Flags Wild Safari Adventure](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/six-flags-wild-safari-adventure) — New Jersey, US · Zoo - [Blue Springs Heritage Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blue-springs-heritage-center) — Arkansas, US · Botanical Garden - [Concord Civic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord-civic-district) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gavins-point-national-fish-hatchery) — South Dakota, US · Nature Reserve - [Georgetown-Silver Plume Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/georgetown-silver-plume-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District [View all places to see Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rainbow-trout) ## More Fish - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) - [Atlantic Salmon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-salmon) (*Salmo salar*) --- Source: [Rainbow Trout: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout)