Growth of the European Whitefish Coregonus lavaretus (Salmonidae) in Lake–River Systems of the Extreme Northeast of European Russia

Abstract— The paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of the group growth in residential populations of the European whitefish Coregonus lavaretus inhabiting lakes and rivers of the East European tundras, and semi-anadromous whitefish feeding in the Pechora River basin and associated brackish water bodies. Populations in freshwater systems demonstrate growth rates comparable to those of semi-anadromous whitefish. The maximum linear and weight growth rates were observed in fish feeding in small floodplain water bodies of the Neruta River basin and shallow lakes (e.g., Lake Langutaty), or inhabiting lakes with a well-developed littoral zone (e.g., Lake Tedinto). For lake-dwelling whitefish, a significant negative correlation (Spearman’s ρ = −0.90; p = 0.017) was identified between relative abundance and mean absolute growth rate during the period preceding the age of mass sexual maturation. No clear relationship was found between the whitefish growth rates and primary climatic parameters or average benthos biomass. It is shown that whitefish of high-latitude water bodies is able to achieve a high rate of linear and weight growth in extreme climatic conditions and with low food competition.