Ammer Whitefish
Coregonus bavaricus
Overview
Coregonus bavaricus, the Ammersee kilch, is a species of freshwater whitefish endemic to Lake Ammersee in the German state of Upper Bavaria. A small, silver-colored fish, it typically lives between 60–85 m (197–279 ft) deep, though shallower in the summer months. In the early 20th century the Ammersee kilch was an important commercial species, but its population declined drastically in the 1930s onward due to overfishing and eutrophication of the only lake in which it is found.
Today it is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and may be on the verge of extinction.
The Bavarian whitefish faces extinction primarily due to eutrophication of its sole habitat, Lake Ammersee in Bavaria, Germany. Nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development has degraded water quality, reducing oxygen levels and altering the lake's ecosystem. Climate change compounds these pressures by increasing water temperatures and disrupting the species' spawning cycles. The fish's extremely restricted range makes it exceptionally vulnerable to any environmental changes in this single lake system.
Habitat
The Bavarian whitefish is endemic to Lake Ammersee in Bavaria, Germany, inhabiting the deep, cold waters of this alpine lake. It typically occupies depths between 20-60 meters where water temperatures remain consistently cool and oxygen levels are adequate for its survival.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in SALMONIDAE
Threatened in Germany
Frequently asked questions
Why is Ammer Whitefish classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Ammer Whitefish live?
What are the main threats to Ammer Whitefish?
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