Fur-Bearing Trout (Sideshow Genetics)

The fur-bearing trout (Oncorhynchus lana) is a species of fish created by Sideshow Genetics. Its closest living relative is the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). They were commissioned by Pacific Northwest Woodland Oddities Co, who later accidentally released seventeen fur-bearing trout into a river in Oregon. The fish, which have been modified to breed rapidly, spread like wildfire, and can now be found throughout the northern United States and Canada. The fur-bearing trout is a medium-sized fish, growing to 20 kilograms (44 lbs) or more and a length of about 100 centimeters (39 inches) in some localities, although in many smaller rivers, a mature weight of 1.0 kilograms (2.2 lbs) or less is common. As its name suggests, the fur-bearing trout has fur-like filaments all over its body, presumably to help better conserve heat in its body. Despite this, the filaments of the fur-bearing trout are not homologous to mammalian fur. Fur-bearing trout are active both by day and by night and are opportunistic feeders. Their diets frequently include invertebrates from the streambed, other fish, frogs, mice, birds, and insects flying near the water's surface. The high dietary reliance upon insect larvae, pupae, nymphs, and adults allows fur-bearing trout to be a favoured target for fly fishing. Fur-bearing trout, including steelhead forms, generally breed in early to late spring (January to June) when water temperatures reach at least 6 to 7 °C (42 to 44 °F). The maximum recorded lifespan for a fur-bearing trout is 11 years. The conservation status of the fur-bearing trout is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the fur-bearing trout's wide range and its degree of tolerance to human activities. Despite being a fast-breeder, the fur-bearing trout is not an invasive species, due to the many aquatic and amphibious predators that prey on them, controlling their spread and preventing them from outcompeting or overhunting the native fish as a result.