ExploreFish

Chum Salmon

Oncorhynchus keta

Chum Salmon are shiny fish that live in the ocean and swim upstream to lay their eggs. They are known for their pinkish color and are a favorite food for many animals!

Habitat: Coastal areas and rivers

Appearance

The Chum Salmon has a silvery-blue back and flanks when in the ocean, fading to white underneath. During spawning, they develop distinctive dark vertical bars or blotches on their sides, and males grow large, hooked jaws with prominent teeth, earning them the nickname 'dog salmon'.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderSalmoniformesFamilySalmonidaeGenusOncorhynchus

Photo: Focus Saranpat OuilapanCC0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Chum Salmon

Interesting facts

Chum Salmon are semelparous, meaning they only reproduce once in their life before they die.

Chum Salmon eggs, called roe, are an important food source for many animals, from birds to bears!

They are sometimes called 'dog salmon' because of the large, canine-like teeth males develop during spawning.

They are the most widespread salmon species in the Pacific, found from California to Korea!

Special abilities

Chum Salmon can navigate thousands of miles back to their exact birth river because of their incredible sense of smell.

Chum Salmon can dramatically change color from silver to vibrant greens and purples for camouflage and mating displays.

Chum Salmon can swim long distances upstream in rivers, even leaping over obstacles, to reach their spawning grounds.

Measurements & details

Length: 55-75 cm
Weight: 4.5-10 kg
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Swim Speed: 30 km/h
Maximum Depth: 250 m
Water Type: Brackish

Diet & Feeding

Chum Salmon are ocean hunters, feasting on small marine creatures.

Age differences: Young salmon eat plankton and insect larvae; adults primarily eat small fish and invertebrates in the ocean.

Primary Foods

zooplankton
small fish
squid
jellies
insects

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

Eats

Brown Bear

Ursus arctos

Bears rely heavily on salmon during their spawning runs.

Eats

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Eagles catch salmon from rivers and scavenge carcasses.

Hunts

Orca

Orcinus orca

Pods of orcas prey on salmon in coastal ocean waters.

Eats

Western Gull

Larus occidentalis

Gulls feed on salmon eggs and fry in estuaries.

Traits

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.

Carnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.

Freshwater

Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.

Keystone Species

Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

Aquatic

Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Marine

Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.

Migratory

Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.

Also known as

Dog SalmonKeta Salmon

Collections

Fish

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always stay close to an adult when near water, as it can be slippery and deep.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Chum Salmon?

Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Chum Salmon?

55-75 cm

How much does Chum Salmon weigh?

4.5-10 kg

How long does Chum Salmon live?

3-5 years

What does Chum Salmon eat?

Chum Salmon are ocean hunters, feasting on small marine creatures.

How fast can Chum Salmon swim?

30 km/h

Where is Chum Salmon usually found?

Coastal areas and rivers