Last updated on August 27th, 2022 at 08:35 am
There are many types of trout available in the world, and the most common subtypes are tiger trout, rainbow trout, golden trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and brook trout. While all of these subtypes can be found in the United States, certain species grow to be more popular depending on location and availability.
If you’ve ever been fishing, you’ve probably heard the term ‘tiger trout’ thrown around as an important fish in your state’s waters. Many people don’t know what tiger trout are, and even fewer people know that they may actually be endangered in certain states (including yours!).
While you may not have heard of it before, the tiger trout is native to the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, and while it looks very similar to other trout species, there are several distinct features that set it apart from others.
Their scientific name is Salmo trutta x Salvelinus fontinalis, which makes them hybrid types of two different species of trout that are found in Lake Superior.
What is tiger trout?
A tiger trout is a cross between brown trout and brook trout, and they belong to the Salmonidae family of fish. These fish are sterile hybrids (meaning they are unable to produce offspring) that were created when mating attempts between two fish of different species failed. A male brown trout can sometimes end up breeding with a female brook trout, which happens when they’re in proximity during spawning season.
If no reproductive act takes place, you will get what is called an abnormal or sport fish. This fish looks like a brown trout but has some characteristics of a brookie such as spots on its body. In these cases, we call them tiger trouts. They may also be referred to as moose-trout or splake depending on where you live in North America.
How big do tiger trout get?
On average, they can grow up to 10-16 inches (25-41 cm) in length. Maximum size of 20 inches (51 cm) and weight of around 5 pounds (2.3 kg) has been recorded.
Tank size
Due to their large size, the minimum recommended tank size is 300 gallons (1,136 liters), a bigger tank size may be needed if you’re keeping more than one fish.
Tank requirements
The tiger trout can be kept in a large tank of around 300 gallons or more, with plenty of hiding places (e.g., driftwood and rocks). Many find that it’s better to keep more than one in your aquarium, they seem to do well in groups, which seems odd considering they are solitary creatures.
They prefer an oxygen-rich environment, so be sure to have a strong filter system set up. This fish does best at temperatures between 72°F and 82°F. As for food, tiger trout will eat almost anything offered to them; however, when you first introduce them into your tank, you should feed them live foods such as bloodworms until they become accustomed to their new home. Afterward, you can switch over to frozen foods such as brine shrimp or krill.
Tank mates
While tiger trout are usually fine with other fish, they can be territorial and aggressive, which means they’re not ideal as a community fish. Tiger trout can eat smaller species of fish and invertebrates, so make sure to select tank mates larger than them, at least two or three times their size.
If you do decide to mix them in one tank with other species, some good tank mates are large, active cichlids like Oscars and peacocks; catfish like giant danios; and large plecos. Avoid keeping tiger trout with slow-moving or docile species like discus, angelfish, guppies, tetras, livebearers (like mollies), small catfish (like Corydoras), and loaches.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
Tiger trout are aggressive and territorial fish, caution should be taken when adding more than one species in a tank.
Care
You need to take care of them. First and foremost, you have to research its natural habitat to find out what kind of environment it needs to survive. Tiger trout are sensitive creatures, and because they’re tropical fish, they can only thrive in water that is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They also require a saltwater tank with live plants for them to hide in and around.
Without these things, your fish won’t be able to survive for very long in an aquarium setting. If you want to make sure your fish stays healthy, then you need to make sure that it has plenty of room to swim and plenty of hiding places. This will help keep stress levels low while making sure that your pet remains comfortable.
What they eat
They are some of nature’s best scavengers. They love to eat anything they can fit in their mouths, including small fish, worms, leeches, and insects. Unfortunately for tiger trout, it can be tough to find enough food in their habitats – particularly as larger fish consume most of it before it reaches its spawning grounds. When there isn’t enough food to go around, tiger trout lose out to other species that are better adapted for survival.
Lifespan
They can live for more than 10 years in captivity.
Parasites and diseases
Disease and parasites are what distinguish tiger trout from their close relative, rainbow trout. Like salmon, tiger trout can be infected with both ichthyophthirius (Ick), a parasite that causes small white spots to appear on a fish’s skin, and columnaris disease. These diseases don’t kill tiger trout, but they do reduce your catch size. Other parasites include anchor worms and flukes, which resemble tiny grains of rice moving beneath a fish’s skin.
Tiger trout facts
Where can you find them?
You can find them in streams in northern Asia and Russia. In fact, it’s only found at altitudes of 9,000 feet above sea level. They have also been spotted along streams that go over small rapids. This is one of those fish species that you don’t want to mess with because they are aggressive and carnivorous. Since they’re usually found in pretty cold water, their diets consist mostly of frozen food like other types of fish, insects, and other crustaceans.
What is the best bait for tiger trout?
The best baits for tiger trout are live minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers. These types of bait will attract them more than any other type of bait. If you’re fishing in shallow water and using these baits, make sure to use some heavy-duty tackle. If you’re fishing in deeper water or don’t have access to live minnows or leeches, you can use artificial lures such as spoons or spinners.
Are tiger trout good eating?
They are good for eating. They’re often caught on light tackle, which means great fun for all and delicious results. You can eat them just like other trout but many prefer to pan fry them. Do so without too much oil or butter, season with salt and pepper, maybe a dash of lemon juice or wine vinegar—and you’ve got a delicious meal right there. Bon appetite!
What is the biggest tiger trout ever caught?
The biggest tiger trout ever caught was 44 inches in length, weighing over 31 pounds. This record-breaking fish was caught by angler Doug Westmoreland in January 1998 at Monroe Park Pond in Covington, Kentucky. Following his record-breaking catch, Westmoreland donated it to a local fishing club.
Can you keep tiger trout in Oregon?
It may come as a surprise, but they can actually be kept in an Oregon aquarium. However, it’s important to note that because they are a non-native species, it can be difficult to source your own captive-bred tiger trout. While there is no specific rule preventing you from keeping tiger trout in your aquarium, you may have difficulty finding them at local pet stores and fish wholesalers. But don’t let that stop you!
If you live in Oregon, you are likely to see them in a local lake or river. Although they might look like salmon, tiger trout aren’t native to Oregon and don’t reproduce. So while they may be present in some waterways, they aren’t found throughout most of Oregon.