# 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. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Ocean and freshwater rivers - **Also known as:** Silver Salmon, Silverside Salmon ![Coho Salmon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424752/objects/4662.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Salmoniformes - **Family:** Salmonidae - **Genus:** Oncorhynchus ## 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 - **River Navigator:** Coho Salmon can find their exact birth river from the vast ocean because they have an incredible sense of smell. - **Super Leaper:** Coho Salmon can leap high out of the water to overcome obstacles like waterfalls because they have powerful tails. - **Color Transformer:** 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 - **Maximum 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bald-eagle) (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) — Eagles snatch salmon from rivers with sharp talons. - **Hunts:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Coho 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 Coho Salmon? 45-75 cm ### How much does Coho Salmon weigh? 2.5-16 kg ### How long does Coho Salmon live? 3-5 years ### What does Coho Salmon eat? Coho salmon start by eating tiny bugs and grow to hunt small fish and squid in the ocean. ### How fast can Coho Salmon swim? 15 km/h ### Where is Coho Salmon usually found? Ocean and freshwater rivers ### How does Coho Salmon hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Brooks River Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brooks-river-archeological-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Alaska SeaLife Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-sealife-center) — Alaska, US · Zoo - [Hoh Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hoh-rainforest) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Redwood National and State Parks](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/redwood-national-and-state-parks) — California, US · National Park [View all places to see Coho Salmon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/coho-salmon) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Coho Salmon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coho-salmon)