Our Fish — Natural Fish Breeding

Taimen

Тул

Scientific Name Hucho taimen (Pallas, 1773)

Conservation Status Vulnerable — A2de, A3de, B2ab (iii,v)

Legal Status in Mongolia Listed as "rare" under Mongolia's Law on Animals; fishing requires a special permit (Wingard & Odgerel, 2001)

Global Range Ob River to Lena River basin (Russia); Amur River basin (China, Russia, Mongolia); Pechora River tributaries; Kama River (Russia, Kazakhstan)

Mongolia Range Shishkhed, Eg, Uur, Delger, Ider, our target, Yeroo, Selenge, Orkhon, Tuul rivers; Darkhad Depression; Onon; headwaters of the Kherlen; Khalkhiin Gol

Population Status

The Taimen's range has declined by approximately 60% since 1985 — equivalent to 21 years or three generations — indicating a population reduction of over 50%. Ongoing habitat degradation from illegal fishing and gold mining continues to suppress individual numbers. Without wider adoption of catch-and-release practices, and given rising demand from China and Russia, population size is projected to fall by a further 60% over the next 20 years.

The species occupies a range of less than 500 km² within fewer than five known locations in Mongolia. Although populations migrating from Russia face similar pressures, Mongolia's Taimen population is not considered a satellite population — it is a self-sustaining and irreplaceable part of the species' range.

Causes of Decline

Illegal commercial fishing and poaching
Habitat degradation from sedimentation caused by gold mining and overgrazing
Heavy metal pollution from gold mining operations
Overall habitat loss and fragmentation

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Lenok Trout

Зэвэг

Scientific Name Brachymystax lenok (Pallas, 1773)

Conservation Status Vulnerable — A3d

Global Range Arctic Ocean basin rivers; Pacific Ocean basin; Ob–Irtysh river system; Amur basin (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia)

Mongolia Range Selenge, Orkhon, Yeroo, Tuul, Delger, Eg, our target, Suman, Ider rivers; Khövsgöl, Terhiin Tsagaan, Ögii lakes; Darkhad Depression; Kherlen, Onon, Khalkhiin Gol, Buir Lake

Population Status

This species has become rare across its regional range due to illegal fishing and the impact of gold mining. Demand in Ulaanbaatar and China continues to grow, increasing pressure on the species. The population is projected to decline by up to 30% over the next 15 years (three generations) based on ongoing threats (Criterion A3). After applying regional criteria, the conservation status classification remained unchanged.

Although populations migrating from Russia are also declining, Mongolia's Lenok population is not considered a satellite population.

Causes of Decline

Illegal commercial fishing and poaching
Habitat degradation from heavy metal pollution from gold mining operations
Habitat loss from gold mining activities

Taxonomic Note

Two morphologically and genetically distinct forms within the Amur River basin have been described — the blunt-nosed and the pointed-nosed Lenok (Bogutskaya & Naseka, 2004). Whether the pointed-nosed Lenok found in Mongolia constitutes a separate species from the blunt-nosed form remains unresolved. The taxonomic status of B. tumensis relative to B. lenok is currently unclear (M. Kottelat, pers. comm.).

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Grayling

Хадран

Scientific Name — to be added —

Conservation Status — to be added —

Native Range — to be added —

Habitat — to be added —

Average Size — to be added —

About this species

Detailed information coming soon. Check back after our next update.