We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Environment

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Red Salmon?

Sara Schmidt
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,228
Share

The Northern Pacific Ocean, and its adjacent rivers, are home to a species of fish known as the red salmon. Also called blueback salmon or sockeye salmon, the fish are the third most common species of Pacific salmon. Red salmon that are completely landlocked in lakes are known as kokanee.

Adult sockeyes feature dull, green heads and red bodies during spawning, giving them the name red salmon. Younger salmon of the species are usually a deep blue-black color with silver-tinted scales. The fish's tail, back, and dorsal fin are solidly colored throughout, and normally do not feature any distinctive markings or spots. Male blueback salmon grow humps on their backs, as well as hooked teeth and jaws, during their journey to freshwater from the saltwater of the Pacific Ocean.

Sockeye fry, or young fish, prefer zooplankton to eat, such as cladocerans, ostracods, and copepods. They also eat small insects. Adult red salmon continue to eat these foods, though some larger animals, such as squid, small fish, and fish larvae, make up the rest of their diet.

These fish can be found in a fairly wide range of habitat. They swim as far south as the Columbia River in the eastern Pacific Ocean, and as far north as the Canadian Arctic area. Sockeye salmon can also be located in Japan. Lake-based, landlocked red salmon can be found in a dozen states across the United States, as well as in Canada.

When they are born, sockeye fry live up to three years in freshwater prior to migrating to saltwater. Once in the ocean, they spend up to four years there, rapidly growing, before returning to spawn in the freshwater. Salmon are thought to use their keen sense of smell in order to return to their freshwater lakes of origin. Following spawning, salmon die within weeks. Some sockeye, however, do not migrate at all.

Commercially, red salmon are caught and sold for food. Fishermen often use gillnets and seines to capture this species. The fish are sold frozen, canned, and fresh, depending on the location of the market. Some people living on the coast also fly fish for the salmon personally. Salmon has a firm texture and strong flavor.

Listed as an endangered species under the United States Endangered Species Act, red salmon in the Pacific Northwest are protected by the National Marine Fisheries Service in the Snake River. In Lake Ozette, Washington, the fish are protected as a threatened species. Red salmon in other areas are not considered endangered or threatened.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Sara Schmidt
By Sara Schmidt
With a Master's Degree in English from Southeast Missouri State University, Sara Schmidt puts her expertise to use by writing for WiseGeek, plus various magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She published her own novella and has other literary projects in the works. Sara's diverse background includes teaching children in Spain, tutoring college students, running CPR and first aid classes, and organizing student retreats, reflecting her passion for education and community engagement.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
With a Master's Degree in English from Southeast Missouri State University, Sara Schmidt puts her expertise to use by writing for WiseGeek, plus various magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She published her own novella and has other literary projects in the works. Sara's diverse background includes teaching children in Spain, tutoring college students, running CPR and first aid classes, and organizing student retreats, reflecting her passion for education and community engagement.
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-red-salmon.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.