Blackfin Cisco
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Name and Code
Family
Salmonidae - trouts and salmons
Species
Coregonus nigripinnis
Taxonomic Authority
(Milner 1874)
Common Name(s)
Blackfin Cisco
French Name
cisco à nageoires noires
Species Code
097
Family TSN
161931
Parent TSN
161932
Species TSN
161946
Conservation Status
Global Rank (GRank)
G1Q (2011-11-07)
National Rank (NRank)
NU (2017-12-22)
Provincial Rank (SRank)
SU (2018-03-28)
COSEWIC Status
Data Deficient (Apr 2007)
SARO Status
Data Deficient
AFS Status
Possibly Extinct1 (2,4)
Status Notes
(1) Lake Nipigon subspecies (C. nigripinnis regalis) designated as Threatened (2,4) by AFS
Ecological Value
Ontario Origin
endemic
General Abundance
rare
Tolerance
intolerant
Economic Importance
commercial fishery (historical)
Length-Weight Regression Coefficents
Intercept (a)
no data
Slope (b)
no data
Length Basis
n/a
Habitat and Feeding
General Habitat(s)
lacustrine
Environment
pelagic
Trophic Class
planktivore
Thermal Regime
coldwater
Habitat Preference
clear, cold, deep waters (55-165 m), usually >91 m in Great Lakes; 10-50 m (optimal 33-37 m) in Lake Nipigon
Reproduction
Reproductive Guild
Nonguarders: Open substratum spawners: Pelagophils
Spawning Habitat(s)
lacustrine
Spawning Season
fall-winter
Spawning Month(s)
November-January
Spawning Temperature (°C)
<5
Fecundity
no data
Nursery Habitat(s)
lacustrine
Size and Age
Adult Length (cm)
27.6-44.4 TL
Adult Weight (kg)
0.17-0.83
Age at Maturity (yrs)
4-5
Maximum Length (cm)
55.0 TL
Maximum Weight (kg)
1.11
Lifespan (yrs)
11-14
Ontario Records
Record Length (cm)
55.0 TL
Record Weight (kg)
1.11
Ontario Range Map
Blackfin Cisco range
Ontario Distribution
Lake Nipigon, Little Jackfish River, Ogoki River, Algonquin Park (Cedar, Hogan, Mink and Radiant Lakes), Lake Superior, Lake Huron (extirpated); last reported from Lake Huron in 1960
Photographs
Blackfin Cisco photograph
Blackfin Cisco photograph
Notes
largest species of the deepwater ciscoes
Information Sources
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COSEWIC. 2007. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Blackfin Cisco Coregonus nigripinnis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 23 pp.
COSEWIC. 2023. Canadian wildlife species at risk. October 2023. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Gatineau, QC. iv + 130 pp.
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