Maddie James
The candlefish, also known as eulachon, oolichan, hooligan, or saviour fish, is a small, very oily species of smelt that occurs along the North Pacific coast of North America. It is called a candlefish because it is so fatty that if caught, dried, and strung on a wick, it can be burned as a candle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Species | Eulachon, Thaleichthys pacificus |
| Common names | Candlefish, Oolichan, Hooligan |
| Family | Smelt |
| Habitat | Occurs along the North Pacific coast, from northern California to Alaska |
| Diet | N/A |
| Appearance | Brown or blue on the back, lighter to silvery white or light blue on the sides, and white on the ventral surface |
| Sex-based differences | Males are distinguished by fleshy ridges that form along their bodies during spawning |
| Oil content | Up to 15% of total body weight |
| Use as food | Can be fried, dried, smoked, or canned |
| Use as light source | Can be dried and used as a wick for a candle |
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What You'll Learn
Candlefish are oily anadromous fish
Candlefish, or eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), is a small anadromous species of smelt that spawns in some of the major river systems along the Pacific coast of North America, from northern California to Alaska. They are distinguished by their large canine-like teeth on the vomer bone and 19 to 31 rays in the anal fin. Like salmon and trout, they have an adipose fin, which is sickle-shaped. The paired fins are longer in male fish than in females.
Being anadromous, candlefish spend most of their adult lives in the ocean but return to their natal freshwater streams and rivers to spawn and die. This makes them predictable and easily available to humans during spawning, when they migrate upstream and can be trapped or netted.
Candlefish are very oily, with up to 15% of their total body weight in fat. This high fat content is the reason for their name, as it allows them to be burned as candles when caught, dried, and strung on a wick. They were traditionally important to Native Americans and First Nations peoples as a food source at the end of winter when food supplies were low. They were also processed for their oil, which was traded with inland communities.
The oil derived from candlefish, also known as "eulachon grease", was believed to have healing properties. For example, a cupful of grease was said to cure stomach aches and colds, and it was also used to treat skin conditions when rubbed on the skin. The unique composition of candlefish oil, with its low content of polyunsaturated fats and higher proportion of saturated and monounsaturated fats, gives it a high melting point.
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They are a species of smelt
The candlefish, also known as eulachon, is a species of smelt with the scientific name Thaleichthys pacificus. They are small, anadromous fish that spend most of their adult lives in the ocean but return to their natal freshwater streams and rivers to spawn and die. The name "candlefish" comes from the high fat content of these fish, which can be up to 15% of their total body weight. This makes them extremely flammable, and if caught, dried, and strung on a wick, they can be burned like a candle.
The eulachon is native to the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from northern California to Alaska. They are distinguished by their brown or blue backs, lighter sides that can be silvery-white or light blue, and white ventral surfaces. The male and female fish can be differentiated during spawning by the fleshy ridges that form along the length of the male's body.
Indigenous communities along the Pacific Coast, including Native Americans and First Nations peoples, have traditionally relied on candlefish as an important food source. The fish are typically fried, smoked, or sun-dried for preservation. The high-fat content of the candlefish also made them valuable for rendering oil, which was traded with inland communities. This trade route became known as the "Oolichan Trail" and played a significant role in the economy of the region.
In addition to their nutritional value, candlefish were also believed to have medicinal properties. The grease from the fish was said to cure stomach aches and colds, and it was used topically to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and dandruff. The unique composition of candlefish fat, with its low content of polyunsaturated fats and higher proportion of saturated and mono-unsaturated fats, contributes to its high melting point and flammability.
Today, candlefish are facing threats due to overfishing and habitat degradation. Efforts are being made to protect this species, with petitions submitted to have them listed as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Despite these challenges, the candlefish remains a culturally significant species that has played a vital role in the history and traditions of Indigenous communities along the Pacific Coast.
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They are also known as eulachon
The candlefish, scientifically known as Thaleichthys pacificus, is also referred to as eulachon. This name is derived from the Chinookan language and the Chinook Jargon based on that language. Eulachon are distinguished by the large canine-like teeth on the vomer bone and 19 to 31 rays in the anal fin. They are a species of smelt, a very oily anadromous marine food fish of the smelt family that occurs along the North Pacific coast from northern California to Alaska. They spend most of their adult lives in the ocean but return to their natal freshwater streams and rivers to spawn and die.
Eulachon were traditionally important to Native Americans and First Nations peoples as a food source that became available at the end of winter when food supplies from the previous year were low. They are also processed for their rich oil, which is known as "eulachon grease". The usual process was to allow the fish to decompose in a hole in the ground for a week or more, then add boiling water and skim off the oil, which would rise to the surface due to being less dense than water. Eulachon oil was traded with inland communities, and the trails over which the trade was conducted came to be known as grease trails.
Eulachon are so oily that they can be lit on fire and burned like a candle, which is how they got the name "'candlefish". They were also called "savior fish" or "salvation fish" due to their availability for fishing at the end of winter when food supplies were low. They are a good source of caloric energy and are said to have healing properties, such as aiding stomach aches and colds, and treating skin conditions like psoriasis and dandruff when rubbed on the skin.
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They can be burned like candles
The candlefish, also known as eulachon, oolichan, or hooligan, is a small species of smelt that spawns in the major river systems along the Pacific coast of North America, from northern California to Alaska. It is called a candlefish because it is very oily and fatty, with up to 15% of its total body weight in fat. This means that if the fish is dried and strung on a wick, it can be burned as a candle.
The process of preparing the candlefish for burning involves drying and smoking the fish, and then placing it on a wick. When lit, the candlefish provides a source of light, in addition to being a food source. This dual functionality made the candlefish an important resource for the Indigenous communities of the Pacific Coast, who consumed the fish as food and also traded it with peoples whose territories did not include spawning rivers.
The candlefish was especially valuable during the winter months when food supplies were typically low. The grease from the candlefish was also believed to have healing properties, with a cupful said to cure stomach aches and colds, and to treat skin conditions when rubbed on the skin. The high melting point of the candlefish grease, due to its unique composition of saturated and mono-unsaturated fats, contributes to its ability to be burned like a candle.
Today, the candlefish is considered an endangered species due to overfishing, and efforts are being made to protect it under the Endangered Species Act. Despite its endangered status, the candlefish remains a culturally significant species for the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Coast, and its traditional uses continue to be valued and shared.
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They are a food source for many
The candle fish, with its slender, silvery body and small, translucent scales, is an important food source for a diverse range of creatures in its ecosystem. Its name derives from the Inupiaq word "qaviaruaq," meaning "that which melts like qaviar." This refers to the fish's high oil content, which caused it to melt when dried over a flame by early Inupiat people. This high oil content also makes it an energy-rich food source, sought after by many predators. The candle fish is a crucial part of the diet of larger fish, such as salmon and trout, as well as marine mammals and birds.
Salmon, in particular, rely heavily on candle fish as a primary food source during their migration upriver to spawn. As candle fish often school in large numbers, they provide an abundant and energy-rich meal for the salmon, giving them the fuel they need to make the arduous journey upstream. The candle fish's high oil content is also beneficial to the salmon, providing them with essential fatty acids that aid in their own spawning process. The relationship between candle fish and salmon is a delicate balance, and the abundance of candle fish can impact the success of salmon runs.
Trout are another fish species that frequently prey on candle fish. While trout are known to be opportunistic feeders, candle fish are a preferred food source due to their high energy value. The presence of candle fish in a trout's diet can indicate a healthy and abundant food web in that particular body of water. Birds, such as gulls and cormorants, also rely on candle fish as a food source. These birds often dive into the water or skim the surface to catch the small, silvery fish, which provide them with essential nutrients and energy.
Marine mammals, such as seals and sea lions, also include candle fish in their diet. These marine mammals are skilled hunters and can consume large quantities of candle fish, especially during the candle fish's spawning season when they aggregate in large numbers. The candle fish's oil-rich flesh provides these marine mammals with the energy they need to survive in the often-harsh marine environment. Additionally, candle fish may be indirectly consumed by other predators when they are eaten by intermediate prey species. For example, insects that feed on candle fish may themselves be eaten by larger fish or birds, thus passing on the energy and nutrients derived from these small, silvery fish.
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Frequently asked questions
A candlefish is a very oily anadromous marine food fish of the smelt family that occurs along the North Pacific coast.
The name "candlefish" comes from the fact that the fish is so fatty, with up to 15% of its total body weight in fat, that if caught, dried, and strung on a wick, it can be burned as a candle.
Candlefish are also known as eulachon, oolichan, ooligan, hooligan, oulachon, and uthlecan.
Adult candlefish are brown or blue on the back, extending to the top of the head, lighter to silvery white or light blue on the sides, and white on the ventral surface. They have speckling that is extra fine and sparse and restricted to the back. Male candlefish are distinguished from females by the fleshy ridges that form along their bodies during spawning.
Candlefish are found in some of the major river systems along the Pacific coast of North America, from northern California to Alaska.
