Crossword Dictionary

TROUT 

Trout, any of several prized game and food fishes of the family Salmonidae (order Salmoniformes) that are usually restricted to freshwater, though a few types migrate to the sea between spawnings. Trout are closely related to salmon. They are important sport fishes and are often raised in hatcheries for later transferral to habitable bodies of water.

Trout belong mainly to two genera: Oncorhynchus and Salvelinus. The genus Oncorhynchus includes the salmon as well as several trout species, while the genus Salvelinus contains several trout species that may be regarded as chars. Members of the two genera are chiefly distinguished by differences in body colouring, the shape of the vomer bone in the roof of the mouth, and the teeth. Chars tend to have red- or cream-coloured spots on a darker-coloured body. They are further distinguished by teeth set on the head (front) of the vomer, not on its shaft. Members of Salvelinus whose vomer is boat-shaped rather than flat are properly called char (q.v.). Oncorhynchus trout tend to have red or black spots on a lighter-coloured body; their teeth are sparser and are on the front and shaft of the vomer. Several trout species that were formerly classified in the genus Salmo are now placed in the genus Oncorhynchus; the brown trout is the only trout still classified as Salmo.

Oncorhynchus trout tend to have red or black spots on a lighter-coloured body; their teeth are sparser and are on the front and shaft of the vomer. Several trout species that were formerly classified in the genus Salmo are now placed in the genus Oncorhynchus; the brown trout is the only trout still classified as Salmo. The genus Oncorhynchus contains the cutthroat trout, rainbow trout (qq.v.), and the golden trout.