Oncorhynchus mykiss - Rainbow Trout
Phylum: Chordata - Class: Actinopterygii - Order: Salmoniformes - Family: Salmonidae
As in many other countries, you will find this species, a Victorian import from North America, in put-and-take trout pools and lowland reservoirs throughout Wales.
Rainbow Trout grow rapidly and are more tolerant of high water temperature than are our native brown trout. There are no rivers in Wales where the Rainbow Trout breeds successfully; however they are occasionally stocked or accidentally released into some stretches of South Wales rivers.
Caught during springtime by Sue Parker in Argentina, this Rainbow Trout is only lightly coloured. In autumn the male fish, in particular, have much bolder pink 'rainbow' stripes along the flanks.
The British rod-caught record - landed by Mr Michael Mitchel, fishing on Loch Earn, Perthshire, in 2016 - weighed a hefty 34 lb 12 oz.
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