Eulachon
The eulachon, also hooligan or candlefish, is a small anadromous
ocean fish, Thaleichthys
pacificus, a smelt found along the Pacific coast of North
America from northern California to Alaska. It feeds primarily on
plankton as well as fish eggs, insect larvae, and small
crustaceans. It forms an important part of the diet of many ocean
and shore predators, and serves as a prominent food source for
people living near its spawning streams.
Eulachon,
Thaleichthys pacificus
The common names of this fish have a somewhat confusing
relationship. The name "candlefish" derives from the fact that it
is so fat during spawning, with up to 15% of total body weight in
fat, that if caught, dried, and strung on a wick, it can be burned
as a candle. This is the name most often used by early explorers.
The name "eulachon" (occ. "oolichan", "oulachon", "uthlecan", etc.)
is from the Chinookan language and the Chinook jargon based on that
language. The name "hooligan" appears to have been derived from
"eulachon" by similarity with the English slang term for a ruffian
or scoundrel which gained currency in the late 19th century.
Eulachon is the more proper of the two names, but most people who
harvest the fish call it "hooligan". Others pronounce the name as
"hooligan" but write "eulachon".
Eulachon, as anadromous fish, spend most of their adult lives in
the ocean but return to their natal freshwater streams and rivers
to spawn and die. As such, one stream may see regular large runs of
eulachon while a neighboring stream sees few or none at all.
Regular annual runs are common but not entirely predictable, and
occasionally a river which has large runs sees a year with no
returns; the reasons for such variability are not known. The
eulachon run is characteristic for the early portion being almost
entirely male, with females following about midway through the run
to its conclusion. Males are easily distinguished from females
during spawning by fleshy ridges which form along the length of
their bodies.
Native Americans and Eskimos made eulachon an important part of
their diet, as well as a valuable trade item with people who lived
outside of its range. They were caught using traps, rakes, and
nets. The harvest continues today, with other residents taking part
in the exploitation of the large runs. Today harvested eulachon are
typically stored frozen and thawed as needed. They may also be
dried, smoked, or canned. Most Native American and Eskimo groups
also boiled large amounts of eulachon for the rich oil, which is
easily skimmed and preserved. Preserved eulachon oil formed a
valuable trade commodity for coastal people, and the numerous
passes through the coastal mountains used for this trade were
called "grease trails". Other uses include bait for sport and
subsistence fishing, and food for cats and dogs.
The unrelated sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria is also called
"candlefish" in the United Kingdom.
Issue #266
