Arctic char
Salvelinus alpinus
Also known asSalvelinus · Iqalukpik
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 500 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 45% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.20% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.70% of body weight
- Max density
- 60 g per litre
A 1200 g adult eats about 14.4 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~144 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
| Minnesota | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
| Alaska | legal | Native species; aquaculture from licensed sources permitted verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to cold freshwater lakes and rivers across the circumpolar Arctic: Iceland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, northern Canada, Alaska, and alpine lakes in Britain and Central Europe. The species (Salvelinus alpinus) is the northernmost freshwater fish on Earth, found in lakes within the Arctic Circle where few other species survive. Closely related to brook trout and lake trout (all genus Salvelinus). Arctic char exhibits extreme phenotypic plasticity, with multiple morphs (dwarf, normal, and large forms) often coexisting in the same lake. Flesh color ranges from pink to deep red depending on diet (carotenoid content), with a mild, clean flavor and high omega-3 fatty acid content. The species is the basis of a growing aquaculture industry, particularly in Iceland (the world leader in char farming, producing over 8,000 tonnes annually), Canada, and Scandinavia. Char is valued in aquaculture because it tolerates cold water better than rainbow trout, grows well at high stocking densities with less aggression, and produces a premium product.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- cold-water (cool water required, dies in heat)
- USDA zones
- 1–6 (winter low around -51°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- yes, if summer water exceeds upper tolerance
Care notes
A cold-water aquaponics species for systems operating at 8–14°C, colder than rainbow trout's optimal range. This makes arctic char the strongest candidate for aquaponics in northern climates where even trout would need summer cooling. Growth is moderate: 300–500 g in 18-24 months on high-quality salmonid pellet (42-45% protein). FCR is 1.1-1.4, comparable to rainbow trout. The key advantage over trout is density tolerance: char are naturally schooling fish that accept crowding better than trout, with commercial farms routinely stocking at 30-60 g/L. They're also less aggressive at feeding time, which reduces fin damage and size variation within cohorts. Dissolved oxygen must stay above 6 mg/L. Ammonia sensitivity is similar to trout; keep TAN below 1 mg/L. Water quality overall must be excellent. Fingerlings are harder to source than trout in most regions; contact university aquaculture extension programs or specialty cold-water hatcheries (several operate in the Great Lakes region and New England). Legal in most jurisdictions without special permits. The retail price ($15-25/kg) is higher than trout, reflecting the premium positioning. Arctic char is an excellent choice for aquaponics operators in cold climates who want maximum value from their cold water.