Lenok
Cold-water salmonids of Siberia and East Asia with distinct snout shapes.
Lenoks are salmonid fish native to rivers and lakes across Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Northern China, and Korea. The genus contains four species, including the sharp-snouted lenok and blunt-snouted lenok, which were once grouped together but are now separated based on physical and genetic differences.
- Lenoks reach lengths of 1.05 m and weights of 15 kg.
- Two main forms exist: sharp-snouted and blunt-snouted.
- Found in cold rivers and lakes across northern Asia.
- South Korean populations are near extinction due to deforestation.
- Four species are recognized in the genus Brachymystax.
What it is
Lenoks, also called Asiatic or Manchurian trout, belong to the genus Brachymystax within the salmon family. These fish feature a rounded body covered in dark brown spots. They display reddish ventral fins and yellowish pectoral fins. Adults can grow up to 1.05 metres long and weigh as much as 15 kilograms. Two main forms exist: the sharp-snouted lenok and the blunt-snouted lenok. Historically, these were treated as one species, but modern taxonomy separates them due to clear morphological and genetic distinctions.
Where it lives
These fish inhabit cold waters across northern Asia. The sharp-snouted variety ranges through central and eastern Russia, northern Mongolia, northeastern Kazakhstan, and northeastern China. The blunt-snouted type lives in southeastern Russia, northeastern and central regions, plus northeastern Mongolia, northern China, and Korea. Their territories sometimes overlap, particularly in the Amur Basin. Another species, B. savinovi, resides in Markakol Lake and nearby rivers in eastern Kazakhstan. A fourth species, B. tsinlingensis, is found in streams within the Yellow and Yangtze River basins in China’s Qinling Mountains.
How it lives
Lenoks prefer colder environments, typically dwelling in upstream river sections or lakes such as Lake Baikal. They generally occupy separate geographic areas, though hybridization occurs where ranges intersect. In South Korea, populations face severe decline due to deforestation, bringing them close to extinction. Numbers have also decreased in China. During glacial epochs, Korean lenoks became landlocked in inland waters, shaping their current distribution patterns.
Status and threats
While widespread overall, local populations face significant threats. Lenoks in South Korea are nearing extinction primarily because of deforestation activities. Declines have also been recorded in China. Conservation efforts are implied by the noted vulnerability in specific regions, though no global status is provided. Habitat loss remains a key concern for these cold-water specialists.
Questions people ask about Lenok
What are the different types of lenok?
There are four species in the genus Brachymystax. The most common are the sharp-snouted lenok (B. lenok) and the blunt-snouted lenok (B. tumensis). These were once considered one species but are now separated based on physical traits and genetics. Other species include B. savinovi and B. tsinlingensis.
Where do lenoks live?
They inhabit cold rivers and lakes across Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Northern China, and Korea. Sharp-snouted lenoks are widespread in central and eastern Russia, while blunt-snouted types live in southeastern Russia and parts of China and Korea. Some species reside in specific lakes like Markakol in Kazakhstan.
Are lenoks endangered?
Overall, they are widespread, but local populations are threatened. Lenoks in South Korea are on the verge of extinction due to deforestation. Populations have also declined in China. No global conservation status is listed, but regional declines highlight habitat sensitivity.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lenok", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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