Arctic char vs Atlantic salmon
How does the Arctic char compare to the Atlantic salmon? They are both members of the Salmonidae family. Below we put their classification, habitat, diet, size, and conservation status side by side — and settle who would win in a fight.
Side-by-side comparison
- Scientific name
- Salvelinus alpinus
- Salmo salar
- Classification
- Fish
- Fish
- Family
- Salmonidae
- Salmonidae
- Habitat
- Cold freshwater and coastal marine environments
- Freshwater rivers and coastal North Atlantic Ocean
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Carnivore
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Least Concern (global), but many wild populations are Vulnerable or Endangered locally
- Lifespan
- 20–40 years
- 3-8 years
- Weight
- 0.5–10 kg (1–22 lbs)
- 3.5–12 kg (7.7–26 lbs), occasionally up to 24 kg (53 lbs)
Arctic char vs Atlantic salmon: who would win?
Arctic char
0.5–10 kg (1–22 lbs)
Atlantic salmon
3.5–12 kg (7.7–26 lbs), occasionally up to 24 kg (53 lbs)
Atlantic salmon wins high confidence
Atlantic salmon is substantially heavier (3.5–12 kg (7.7–26 lbs), occasionally up to 24 kg (53 lbs) vs 0.5–10 kg (1–22 lbs)). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.
Similarities
- Both are fishs.
- Both belong to the Salmonidae family.
Differences
- Habitat: Cold freshwater and coastal marine environments vs Freshwater rivers and coastal North Atlantic Ocean.
- Diet: omnivore vs carnivore.
- Conservation: Least Concern vs Least Concern (global), but many wild populations are Vulnerable or Endangered locally.
- Weight: 0.5–10 kg (1–22 lbs) vs 3.5–12 kg (7.7–26 lbs), occasionally up to 24 kg (53 lbs).
Arctic char vs Atlantic salmon: FAQ
Who would win in a fight, a Arctic char or a Atlantic salmon?
Atlantic salmon wins. Atlantic salmon is substantially heavier (3.5–12 kg (7.7–26 lbs), occasionally up to 24 kg (53 lbs) vs 0.5–10 kg (1–22 lbs)). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.
What is the difference between a Arctic char and a Atlantic salmon?
Arctic char and Atlantic salmon differ in several ways — habitat: cold freshwater and coastal marine environments vs freshwater rivers and coastal north atlantic ocean. diet: omnivore vs carnivore. conservation: least concern vs least concern (global), but many wild populations are vulnerable or endangered locally. weight: 0.5–10 kg (1–22 lbs) vs 3.5–12 kg (7.7–26 lbs), occasionally up to 24 kg (53 lbs).
Do Arctic char and Atlantic salmon live in the same habitat?
No — Arctic char lives in cold freshwater and coastal marine environments, while Atlantic salmon is found in freshwater rivers and coastal north atlantic ocean.
What do Arctic char and Atlantic salmon eat?
Arctic char has a omnivore diet, while Atlantic salmon has a carnivore diet.
Which is more endangered, the Arctic char or the Atlantic salmon?
Arctic char is listed as Least Concern, while Atlantic salmon is listed as Least Concern (global), but many wild populations are Vulnerable or Endangered locally.
How big are Arctic char and Atlantic salmon?
Arctic char weighs around 0.5–10 kg (1–22 lbs), while Atlantic salmon weighs around 3.5–12 kg (7.7–26 lbs), occasionally up to 24 kg (53 lbs).
Full profile
Arctic char
Full profile
Atlantic salmon
