🐟 Common Trout of the Sella River: Subspecies, Diet, and Conservation
The common trout (Salmo trutta) is one of the most iconic fish in the waters of the Sella River. Belonging to the salmonid family, this species serves as a natural indicator of the river’s ecological quality, since it only thrives in well-oxygenated, clean waters.
🔍 Types of Trout in the Sella
In the Sella River basin, there are two subspecies:
- 🟫 Brown trout (Salmo trutta fario)
This is the resident river trout, with a speckled body and territorial habits. It inhabits the middle and upper stretches of the Sella and its tributaries.
- 🌊 Sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta)
A migratory subspecies that spends part of its life at sea and returns to the Sella to spawn. It is less abundant but of great biological value.
🍽️ Diet
The main diet of trout in the Sella consists of:
• Benthic invertebrates
• Aquatic insects (mayfly, caddisfly, and dipteran larvae)
• Occasionally small fish or crustaceans
This natural feeding behavior helps maintain the balance of the river ecosystem.
⚠️ Threats and Conservation
The main threats faced by trout in the Sella are:
- 🔻 Habitat degradation, especially spawning areas
- ⚒️ Flow alterations due to dams or hydraulic works
- 🎣 Overfishing and poaching
- 🌡️ Changes in water temperature and quality
For recovery efforts, restocking is done exclusively with local genetic material to preserve the river’s native biodiversity.
tag: wildlife river sella – trout
