The Coomsaharn char (Salvelinus fimbriatus; the spellings Coomasaharn and charr are also used;
Irish: ruabhreac Chom Sathairn) is a species of
lacustrinecharfish in the family
Salmonidae.[3]
The English word "char[r]" is thought to derive from
Old Irishceara/cera meaning "[blood] red,"[6] referring to its pink-red underside.[7][8] This would also connect with its
Welsh name torgoch, "red belly."[9]
Lough Coomsaharn (/ˌkuːməˈsæhərən/) derives its name from the
IrishCom Sathairn, "hollow of Saturday(?)".[10]
Biology
Salvelinus fimbriatus spawns in November/December and feeds on
zooplankton. It is distinguished from other Salvelinus in Ireland by large eyes,[11] having 27–30
gill rakers, with 16–20 on the lower part (hence the species name fimbriatus, "fringed").[12] Also, its body depth is 20–25% of snout length, the snout is conical, and the lower
jaw is not included in the upper one; an adaptation that helps it to feed on plankton.[13]