The rainbow trout, originally from North America, is a widely consumed food fish and a popular target for anglers in many countries. It was introduced to Germany in the late 19th century as part of fish farming efforts and has since established itself in natural waters. Compared to the native brown trout, the rainbow trout is more tolerant of higher water temperatures but competes with the brown trout due to their similar lifestyle. In the form of aquaculture, the rainbow trout is now distributed worldwide (HMUKLV & Hessen-Forst FENA 2014). The rainbow trout is characterized by a pinkish stripe along its side. The entire body of the fish, including the dorsal, adipose, and tail fins, is covered with numerous small dark spots. Rainbow trout typically reach a length of 35 cm, with a maximum size of 70 cm (Müller 1983).

Diet: Like the native brown trout, the rainbow trout feeds on insect larvae, amphipods, worms, mollusks, and other airborne prey (Müller 1983).

Threat Status: The rainbow trout is classified as “least concern” on the European IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In Germany, it is considered non-native and discussed as a competitive threat to the native brown trout.