Fish species

Complete list of fish fauna

Fast-flowing waters in Trentino inhabited predominantly by trout, which include mountain streams and brooks near their sources, are classified as “brown trout areas”. The major rivers: Adige, Noce, Avisio, Sarca, Chiese, Brenta and their main tributaries on the other hand are classified as “Marble trout and grayling areas”.
The most widespread fish species (and often the only one) present in streams high up in the mountains is brown trout. Some brooks are also home to acclimatised stocks of rainbow trout and brook trout. Further downstream, the number of species increases as watercourses widen out: brown trout gradually give way to marble trout and grayling. Bulltrout (small benthic fish) are also common as are members of the Salmonidae family. Bulltrout are a reliable indicator of good water quality and are often preyed on by trout. Minnows, which are cyprinids, prefer cool, running waters, along with dace and brook barbel. Barbel and chub can also be found on the valley bottom, where the water heats up more in the summer.
The vast array of different lake environments in Trentino provides suitable conditions for all the various species that live in flowing water, except for brook barbel. Lakes are also home to Arctic char (at high altitudes), large lake carp (Lake Garda), European whitefish, pike and other species belonging predominantly to the Cyprinindae (carp, tench, bleak, etc.) and Percidae (European perch) families.