The Arctic Charr
The Jewel of the Deep
“Hidden within Britain’s coldest lakes swims a fish whose colours rival the sunrise and whose ancestry reaches back to the Ice Age.”
Species Profile
The Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus) is Britain’s most northerly freshwater fish and one of its rarest. A member of the salmon family, it survives in only a handful of deep, cold lakes where the water remains exceptionally clear and well oxygenated.
Often described as Britain’s most beautiful freshwater fish, the Arctic Charr displays stunning colours during the breeding season. Males develop brilliant orange and crimson undersides, contrasting with silvery flanks and pale spots, creating one of the most spectacular sights beneath the water.
The Arctic Charr is also a living reminder of the last Ice Age, having colonised Britain’s lakes thousands of years ago as the glaciers retreated.
Clive’s Story
There are fish that every angler dreams of catching.
Then there are fish that inspire admiration simply because they exist.
The Arctic Charr belongs firmly in the second group.
Although few anglers ever encounter one, I have always been fascinated by its history and its beauty.
To know that these remarkable fish have survived in Britain’s cold mountain lakes since the Ice Age gives them an almost mythical quality.
Whenever I think about the Arctic Charr, I imagine silent waters surrounded by mountains, where nature has remained almost unchanged for thousands of years.
Natural History
The Arctic Charr thrives in deep, cold lakes where temperatures remain low throughout the year.
It feeds on insects, freshwater shrimps, small fish and plankton, depending on the season and the habitat.
Unlike many freshwater species, Arctic Charr often occupy different depths according to the time of year, moving into shallower water only when spawning.
Their isolated populations have evolved separately over thousands of years, making each lake’s Charr population unique and scientifically important.
Interesting Facts
- Scientific name: Salvelinus alpinus
- Family: Salmonidae
- Britain’s oldest post-glacial freshwater fish.
- Habitat: Deep, cold upland lakes.
- Diet: Aquatic insects, freshwater shrimps, plankton and small fish.
- Lifespan: Commonly 10–15 years.
- Breeding colours: Brilliant orange and crimson undersides.
- Distribution: Found in only a limited number of British lakes.
- Conservation status: Vulnerable in many areas due to warming waters and environmental change.
Behind the Song
When writing The Jewel of the Deep, I imagined music that reflected the peace and purity of Britain’s mountain lakes.
The opening is calm and almost dreamlike, allowing the listener to picture crystal-clear water beneath towering hills.
As the melody develops, it celebrates the extraordinary colours of the Arctic Charr and its incredible journey through thousands of years of natural history.
The song is both a celebration and a reminder that some of nature’s greatest treasures survive only because we continue to protect them.
Listen to the Song – The Ice Age Jewel (Arctic Charr)
The complete lyrics are included in the companion book, Our Jewels in the Water, allowing readers to follow every song while learning about Britain’s remarkable freshwater fish.
Enjoying the music?
The companion book Our Jewels in the Water includes the full lyrics, additional stories, exclusive photographs and beautiful illustrations for every species.
Conservation
The Arctic Charr is particularly vulnerable to climate change.
As water temperatures rise, suitable habitats become increasingly limited.
Pollution, invasive species and changes to lake ecosystems also threaten isolated populations.
Protecting Britain’s cold upland lakes is essential if future generations are to continue admiring this remarkable survivor from the Ice Age.
Clive’s Reflection
Some fish tell the story of rivers.
Others tell the story of history itself.
The Arctic Charr reminds us that Britain’s waters still hold living connections to a world shaped by ice, glaciers and changing climates.
Its beauty is matched only by its resilience.
Whenever I think about the Arctic Charr, I am reminded that our greatest natural treasures are often the rarest and the most fragile.
That is why, to me, the Arctic Charr will always be The Jewel of the Deep.
“The rarest jewels are not those hidden in the earth, but those still swimming beneath the surface of our quietest lakes.”