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Introduction:

Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (NOAA, 2018), is a species of trout and is found within the Salmonidae family (NOAA, 2018). The steelhead are an anadromous fish that are native to freshwater and ocean environments across North America. However, this species of fish have been introduced to every other continent except Antarctica (Rainbow Trout). Steelhead use aquatic obstructions like vegetation, boulders, and fallen trees as protection (Rainbow Trout).

During spawning, the fish will lay their eggs on gravel bottoms. The females dig out a hole called a redd. She then lays the eggs and a male fertilize them. The females will then cover the eggs with the gravel. The eggs will remain like this until they hatch. Unlike Salmon, the Steelhead can spawn, then return to the ocean without any hardships. This allows the Steelhead to spawn multiple times within its life (Rainbow Trout).

A close relative to the Steelhead trout is the Rainbow trout. The difference between the species is from Steelhead migrating to the ocean and returning to freshwater tributaries to spawn. Rainbow trout do not leave freshwater. Steelhead are also larger and less colorful than their Rainbow trout cousins (Rainbow Trout). The body of Steelhead trout are silvery and streamlined with a rounder head. The are black dots and a red or pink stripe running down the side of the fish horizontally. This silver color and round head is what gives the Steelhead its name (Rainbow trout).

The population of Steelhead trout is in a state of endangerment across the United States of America. Mostly caused by the blocking of waterways by the construction of dams. Human interaction has had considerable consequences on reducing the population of Steelhead Trout (Nash, 2018).

Description:

Steelhead trout are significantly larger and have different characteristics to their counterparts, Rainbow Trout. Steelhead can weigh up to 55 pounds (26 kg) and 45 inches (114 centimeters) in length. They can live up to 11 years and spawn multiple times (NOAA, 2018). Since Steelhead are able to live their lives in saltwater and freshwater, they are significantly larger than Rainbow Trout.

When the fish are newly hatched, they will feed on zooplankton and small insects until they reach a larger size. Once matured, the fish will eat a large variety of food sources: fish eggs, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and terrestrial animals (Rainbow Trout).

Fun Facts:

A group or school of Steelhead Trout are named a hover.

Conservation:

There have been several conservation programs created since the close extinction of the Steelhead species in the 1940’s. The main reduction within the populations is mainly due to man made obstructions within a river system. This is usually caused by dams blocking access, or humans changing the river landscape for recreation and access to water. It is estimated that only 500 Steelhead trout return to the Southern California Watersheds. However, in other areas of the United States, Steelhead can be seen as pest because they are an invasive species to the environment (Nash, 2018).

Steelhead trout are endangered within the area of:

Southern California DPS

Steelhead trout are threatened within the area of:

California Central Valley DPS, Central California coast DPS, Lower Columbia River DPS, Middle Columbia River, Northern California DPS, Puget Sound DPS, Snake River Basin DPS, South-Central California coast DPS, Upper Columbia River DPS, Upper Willamette River DPS

Bibliography:

Nash, M. (2018, March 10). Southern steelhead: A story of recovery. Retrieved February 26,

2019, from https://caltrout.org/2018/02/southern-steelhead-story-recovery/

NOAA. (2018). Steelhead Trout. Retrieved March 11, 2019, from

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/steelhead-trout

Rainbow Trout and Steelhead. (n.d.). Retrieved February, 2019, from

https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Fish/Rainbow-Trout-Steelhe

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Romer, J. D., Leblanc, C. A., Clements, S., Ferguson, J. A., Kent, M. L., Noakes, D., & Schreck,

C. B. (2012). Survival and behavior of juvenile steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in

two estuaries in Oregon, USA. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 96(7), 849-863.

doi:10.1007/s10641-012-0080-8

Southern California Steelhead Trout. Center for Biological Diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/fish/southern_California_steelhead_trout/