Salvelinus

Salvelinus is a captivating genus of fish commonly known as char or charr, and occasionally referred to as "trout." Belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily within the Salmonidae family, these fish predominantly inhabit cold freshwater environments across the globe, although some species do venture into marine waters. What sets char apart are their distinctive light-cream, pink, or red spots on a darker body, along with small scales and unique white or cream-colored edges on their fins.

Char are a favorite among fishing enthusiasts due to their appeal as sport fish. Species such as the lake trout also hold significant commercial value, contributing to fisheries and aquaculture. However, instances have occurred where these fish have escaped into new environments, becoming invasive species.

The classification of Salvelinus species presents a complex challenge. According to FishBase, there are 54 species or subspecies within this genus, many of which have very restricted geographic distributions. The Arctic char (S. alpinus) is the most widespread, inhabiting circumpolar regions. In North America alone, there are five distinct species: the brook trout, bull trout, Dolly Varden trout, lake trout, and the Arctic char.