At the sea, it occurs along coast at depths of up to 50 m. Resident part of populations live in streams and uppermost reaches with fast current, cold clear water and stone or gravel bottom. Parrs and resident adults prey on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Anadromous and large lacustrine individuals feed predominantly on fish, but also take large crustaceans. Undertakes migration to hill streams. Usually spawns in the upper reaches of rivers with fast current. Damming hinders both migrating juveniles to reach the sea and returning adults to reach spawning sites. Species survival depends solely on resident populations (Ref. 59043).

Eurasia: Coastal zone of western Caspian Sea, drainages from northern Azerbaijan to Volga and Ural. Terek is the main spawning river. Status of threat: least concern.

Western Caspian Sea and northern basins.

130 cm SL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 59043))

Distinguished from the only congener Salmo ezenami in European Caspian basin by the following unique characters: maxilla reaching posterior margin of eye; and gill rakers pointed, tips never club-changed. Diagnosed from Salmo capius, a species restricted to southern Caspian basin, by its unique body depth about 15-20% SL (vs. 21-26); differs further by the combination of having head depth about 59-65% HL (vs. 68-75) and interorbital distance about 30-42% HL (vs. 37-48) (Ref. 59043).

benthopelagic; freshwater; depth range ? - 50 m (Ref. 59043)

Not Evaluated