Physical characteristics and behaviour

Although they are similar in shape to salmon or trout, arctic char vary in colour depending on the time of year, location and stage of development. Usually, their backs are dark blue, green or brown, with silver sides and a white underbelly; however, they can also sometimes be covered with purple, pink or reddish spots. When spawning or releasing their eggs, the char can have a bright red or orange colour. This is one colourful fish!

These fish have been an important food source to Inuit for centuries. Arctic char is eaten raw, frozen (called quak), dried (called pipsi), smoked, aged or cooked. In some instances, skins from char have been made into waterproof coats and their bones have been made into sewing needles along with pouches that carried the sewing equipment.

Diet

Arctic char are carnivores. They mostly feed on shrimp, insect larvae, snails, clams and some small fish. 

Habitat and distribution

Arctic char can be found across the Arctic Ocean, including the Arctic Archipelago, and in the freshwater lakes and rivers of the Arctic islands and Canada’s northern mainland.