Dolly Varden Charr

The Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) is a charr that occurs in Alaska as both northern and southern forms. As well, there can be resident and anadromous forms in a given watershed. Unlike Pacific salmon they can spawn multiple times over their lifetime. Smaller resident males may compete with anadromous males for females when spawning. Dolly Varden eggs are white suggesting less red oxygen binding pigments compared to other salmonines. Dolly Varden are well known as scavengers of salmon eggs that fail to get buried in a redd.