What is a Japanese char (iwana)?

It is a salmonid fish native to cold streams in Japan and neighboring parts of East Asia, occurring in both landlocked and sea-run (anadromous) forms.

Where does the Japanese char live?

It inhabits mountain streams in Hokkaido and northern Honshu, plus northeastern Korea, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka.

Why do Japanese char turn darker in winter?

Individuals develop a darker coloring in the coldest months, called "sabi" by anglers, which fades as water warms and feeding resumes.

Japanese Charイワナ

Salvelinus leucomaenisLC— Least Concern

The Japanese char (Salvelinus leucomaenis), known as iwana in Japan, is a salmonid native to cold mountain streams of Hokkaido and northern Honshu, as well as northeastern Korea, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka. Both landlocked stream populations and anadromous, sea-run forms occur, and the species is a voracious predator of aquatic insects, crustaceans, and smaller fish. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Japanese Char (reference photo) — Photo: Σ64 / CC BY 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Salmoniformes / Salmonidae Source
Size: Varies greatly by regional population: about 25–35 cm in stream-resident forms, while the sea-run form (amemasu) reaches around 120 cm at maximum
Lifespan: Wild: about 6 years / captive: some have reached nearly 30 years
Diet: Carnivore Voracious carnivore, eating zooplankton, aquatic insects, other fish, freshwater crabs, terrestrial insects that fall into the water, frogs, and salamanders
Distribution: Native to cold mountain streams of Hokkaido and northern Honshu, as well as northeastern Korea, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

In deep winter, individuals darken in color, a change anglers call "sabi"; it fades once water warms and feeding activity increases. Source
Both landlocked stream-dwelling populations and anadromous, sea-run forms (known as amemasu) exist within the species. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 2

Kyoto AquariumKyotoAbout a 15-minute walk from the central exit of JR Kyoto Station.

Source

Sapporo Salmon MuseumHokkaido

Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

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Animal Supporter Programs & Giving: Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei: Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

What is a Japanese char (iwana)?: It is a salmonid fish native to cold streams in Japan and neighboring parts of East Asia, occurring in both landlocked and sea-run (anadromous) forms. Source
Where does the Japanese char live?: It inhabits mountain streams in Hokkaido and northern Honshu, plus northeastern Korea, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka. Source
Why do Japanese char turn darker in winter?: Individuals develop a darker coloring in the coldest months, called "sabi" by anglers, which fades as water warms and feeding resumes. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 2 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org