Grayling [fish]
CR

Grayling [fish]

Thymallus thymallus

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thymallus_thymallus

Overview

Thymallus thymallus, harjus, the grayling or European grayling, is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family Salmonidae. It is the only species of the genus Thymallus native to Europe, where it is widespread from the United Kingdom and France to the Ural Mountains in Russia, and Balkans on the south-east, but does not occur in the southern parts of the continent. It was introduced to Morocco in 1948, but it does not appear to have become established there.

European Grayling populations have declined dramatically due to habitat degradation, water pollution, and river modifications that have fragmented their spawning grounds. Climate change is exacerbating these pressures by altering water temperatures and flow regimes that this cold-water species requires. Overfishing and competition from introduced species have further contributed to population declines across much of their historical range.

Threat summary

Habitat

FRESHWATER· majorFRESHWATER· major

Other threatened species in Salmonidae

MaraeneVU

Maraene

Coregonus maraena

Unknown
VU

Pelagonian trout

Salmo pelagonicus

Unknown
Coomasaharn charrVU

Coomasaharn charr

Salvelinus fimbriatus

Unknown
Blunt-snouted charrCR

Blunt-snouted charr

Salvelinus obtusus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Grayling [fish] classified as Critically Endangered?
Grayling [fish] 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. European Grayling populations have declined dramatically due to habitat degradation, water pollution, and river modifications that have fragmented their spawning grounds. Climate change is exacerbating these pressures by altering water temperatures and flow regimes that this cold-water species requires. Overfishing and competition from introduced species have further contributed to population declines across much of their historical range.
Where does Grayling [fish] live?
Grayling [fish] occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Grayling [fish]?
The main threats to Grayling [fish] are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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