The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a species of the salmon family native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. Those that spend their lives in streams and rivers average between 1 and 5 lb (0.5 and 2.3 kg); others, called steelhead trout, live in the ocean or the Great Lakes for two to three years before returning to fresh water to spawn, and may reach 20 lb (9.1 kg). Coloration varies widely, but all adult fish are distinguished by a broad reddish stripe along the lateral line, from gills to the tail, which is most vivid in breeding males. Wild-caught and hatchery-reared forms of this species have been transplanted and introduced for food or sport in at least 45 countries. Introductions to locations in the U.S., Southern Europe, Australia and South America outside the fish's native range have damaged native fish species when the trout has preyed on them, out-competed them, transmitted contagious diseases, or hybridized with closely related species. Some local populations of specific subspecies, or in the case of steelhead, distinct population segments, are listed as either threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The steelhead is the official state fish of Washington.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_trout
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1719:
Emperor Charles VI established Liechtenstein, the only principality in the Holy Roman Empire still in existence today. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein
1870:
American Indian Wars: The United States Army massacred a friendly band of Piegan Blackfeet in Montana Territory, resulting in about 200 deaths, mostly women, children, and elderly men. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marias_Massacre
1899:
Pursuant to the adoption of the Malolos Constitution and the establishment of the First Philippine Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo was sworn in as the first President of the Philippines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilio_Aguinaldo
1915:
The Chilembwe uprising, regarded as a seminal moment in the history of Malawi, began as rebels, led by a minister, attacked local plantation owners. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilembwe_uprising
1945:
German Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz ordered the beginning of Operation Hannibal, which became one of the largest emergency evacuations by sea in history, with over 1 million people transferred over 15 weeks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Hannibal
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
blueberrying: The act of gathering blueberries. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/blueberrying
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
Insofar as thought could be governed at all, it could only be commanded to follow what reason affirmed anyhow; command it otherwise, and it would not obey. --Walter M. Miller, Jr. https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Walter_M._Miller,_Jr.