Schelly: The Rare Fish Species of Ullswater, Haweswater, Brothers Water and Red Tarn

The Schelly, also known as Coregonus stigmaticus, is a rare freshwater fish found only in four lakes in the Lake District, England. These lakes are Ullswater, Haweswater, Brothers Water and Red Tarn. It is a member of the salmon family, and its taxonomy is disputed with some recognising it as a distinct species and others as a variant of the widespread Eurasian whitefish species Coregonus lavaretus.

The Schelly is a unique fish species that has been under protection since 1981 by the Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is considered endangered, and its population has been declining over the years. The Schelly is a small fish that can grow up to 30 cm in length and has a silvery-white color. It is a cold-water fish that prefers to live in deep, clear lakes with rocky bottoms.

Overview of Schelly

Schelly is a rare fish found only in four lakes in the Lake District, England. These lakes are Ullswater, Haweswater, Brothers Water and Red Tarn. The Schelly is a member of the salmon family and belongs to the whitefish family. Its scientific name is Coregonus stigmaticus. The Schelly is a small fish and typically grows to a maximum length of 20-30 cm.

The Schelly has a distinctive appearance with a silvery-white body and a dark back. It has a small head and a small mouth. The fish has a forked tail and small fins. The Schelly is a bottom-dwelling fish and feeds on small invertebrates and plankton.

The Schelly is classified as an endangered species and is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The combined area of the four lakes in which it is found is only 20 km². The population of the Schelly seems stable, but it is still at risk due to its limited range.

Habitat

The Schelly is a rare freshwater fish found only in four lakes in the Lake District, England. The fish is endemic to Ullswater, Haweswater, Brothers Water, and Red Tarn. The Schelly prefers deep, clear, cold, and well-oxygenated water. It is usually found in the middle and bottom layers of the lakes, but it can also be found near the surface during feeding times.

Ullswater

Ullswater is the second-largest lake in the Lake District and the largest lake that hosts the Schelly. The lake is approximately 9 miles long and 0.75 miles wide. The Schelly is present in the lake, and its population seems to be stable. The lake also hosts other fish species such as perch, pike, char, and brown trout.

Haweswater

Haweswater is a reservoir in the far eastern side of the Lake District. The lake is approximately 4 miles long and 0.5 miles wide. The Schelly is present in the lake, and it is one of the only four species of freshwater fish under the protection of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The lake also hosts other fish species such as brown trout and pike.

Brothers Water

Brothers Water is a small lake in the eastern side of the Lake District. The lake is approximately 0.75 miles long and 0.25 miles wide. The Schelly is present in the lake, and it is one of the only four species of freshwater fish under the protection of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The lake also hosts other fish species such as brown trout and pike.

Red Tarn

Red Tarn is a small glacial lake in the eastern side of the Lake District. The lake is approximately 0.25 miles long and 0.125 miles wide. The Schelly is present in the lake, and it is one of the only four species of freshwater fish under the protection of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The lake also hosts other fish species such as brown trout and Arctic char.

Life Cycle

The Schelly fish is a rare freshwater fish found only in four lakes in the Lake District, England. The life cycle of the Schelly fish is quite similar to that of other whitefish species.

The Schelly fish spawns in shallow water with a sandy bottom. The main breeding season is from mid-January to mid-February in both Haweswater and Ullswater. The spawning process is triggered by the increase in water temperature, which occurs during the spring season. During this time, the male Schelly fish will develop a milky white fluid called milt, while the female fish will develop eggs.

After fertilisation, the eggs will hatch in about three weeks. The newly hatched fish will feed on zooplankton for the first few weeks of their life. As they grow, they will start to feed on insects and other small aquatic animals.

The Schelly fish reaches maturity at around four years of age. They can live up to 20 years in the wild. During their lifespan, Schelly fish will migrate to deeper waters during the summer months and return to shallow waters during the winter months.

Conservation Status

The Schelly (Coregonus stigmaticus) is a rare and endangered species of freshwater fish in the whitefish family. It is found only in four lakes in the Lake District, England, namely Brothers Water, Haweswater, Red Tarn and Ullswater. The population of Schelly has been in decline, and it is one of only four species of freshwater fish under the protection of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The decline in Schelly population is attributed to several factors, including habitat degradation, pollution, and overfishing. The fish is also threatened by the introduction of non-native fish species, such as the signal crayfish, which compete for food and habitat. The construction of dams and reservoirs also affects the Schelly’s natural habitat, as it requires shallow, sandy-bottomed, and well-oxygenated waters for spawning.

To conserve the Schelly population, several measures have been put in place. The Environment Agency and other organizations are working to improve water quality, restore degraded habitats, and control the introduction of non-native species. Fishing restrictions have also been imposed to protect the fish during its breeding season, which is from mid-January to mid-February.

Efforts are also being made to raise public awareness of the Schelly’s conservation status and the need for its protection. The Lake District National Park Authority has launched a campaign to encourage anglers to release Schelly caught during fishing, and to educate them on the importance of conservation.