ExploreFish

Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

The Coho Salmon is a smaller fish that is also known for its delicious taste! They are often caught by fishermen.

Habitat: Ocean and freshwater rivers

Appearance

The Coho Salmon has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body, typically silver with small black spots on its back and upper tail fin. During spawning, males turn a striking brick-red with dark green heads. Its distinct black mouth and white gums help differentiate it from other salmon.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderSalmoniformesFamilySalmonidaeGenusOncorhynchus

Coho Salmon

Interesting facts

A Coho salmon's incredible journey to spawn is often a one-way trip after laying eggs!

Coho salmon grow super fast in the ocean, sometimes doubling their weight in just a few months!

These fish can travel thousands of miles from the ocean back to the very stream they were born in!

Young Coho salmon have unique 'fingerprint' bar marks on their sides, like human fingerprints!

Special abilities

Coho Salmon can find their exact birth river from the vast ocean because they have an incredible sense of smell.

Coho Salmon can leap high out of the water to overcome obstacles like waterfalls because they have powerful tails.

Coho Salmon has the ability to change its silver color to bright red and green that helps them attract mates during spawning.

Measurements & details

Length: 45-75 cm
Weight: 2.5-16 kg
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Swim Speed: 15 km/h
Max Depth: 200 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

Coho salmon start by eating tiny bugs and grow to hunt small fish and squid in the ocean.

Age differences: Juveniles primarily eat insects and small invertebrates in freshwater. Adults in the ocean feed on smaller fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Primary Foods

insects
small fish
squid
krill
crustaceans

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Eagles snatch salmon from rivers with sharp talons.

hunts

Human

Homo sapiens

People have fished Coho for food for millennia.

eats

Dolly Varden

Salvelinus malma

Dolly Varden char sometimes eat Coho salmon eggs and fry.

Traits

Wildlife

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Colorful

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Piscivorous

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Freshwater

Discover animals and plants that live in non-salty water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds! These watery homes are vibrant with life.

Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.