CR

Beloye Cisco

Coregonus vessicus

DecliningLCEULCEU

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Coregonus vessicus faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water quality deterioration in its limited lake environment. Eutrophication from agricultural runoff and urban development has fundamentally altered the oligotrophic conditions this coldwater fish requires. Climate change compounds these pressures by warming water temperatures and reducing oxygen levels in deeper waters where the species typically feeds.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic whitefish inhabits the cold, deep waters of oligotrophic alpine lakes, typically found in oxygen-rich depths between 20-80 meters. The species requires pristine water conditions with low nutrient levels and stable thermal stratification characteristic of high-altitude lake ecosystems.

Wetlands (inland)· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent freshwater lakes· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in SALMONIDAE

VU

Coregonus subautumnalis

Declining
VU

Bourget Whitefish

Coregonus lavaretus

Unknown
VU

Fatio's Whitefish

Coregonus fatioi

Unknown
VU

Sempach Whitefish

Coregonus suidteri

Unknown

Threatened in Russia

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown
Horned GrebeVU

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

Declining
VU

Large Tree-chernes

Dendrochernes cyrneus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Beloye Cisco classified as Critically Endangered?
Beloye Cisco is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Coregonus vessicus faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water quality deterioration in its limited lake environment. Eutrophication from agricultural runoff and urban development has fundamentally altered the oligotrophic conditions this coldwater fish requires. Climate change compounds these pressures by warming water temperatures and reducing oxygen levels in deeper waters where the species typically feeds.
Where does Beloye Cisco live?
Beloye Cisco occurs in Russia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Beloye Cisco?
The main threats to Beloye Cisco are 11.1, 5.4, 8.1, and 9.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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