Pink Salmon
ExploreFish
Pink Salmon
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
The Pink Salmon is the smallest salmon species and is known for its light pink flesh! They are very abundant and easy to catch.
Habitat: Ocean and freshwater rivers
Appearance
The Pink Salmon is silver in the ocean with tiny scales and large oval spots on its back and tail. During spawning, males develop a distinctive, very large hump on their back and a hooked jaw, changing to an olive-green and brown hue.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderSalmoniformesFamilySalmonidaeGenusOncorhynchus
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baby pink salmon, called fry, rush to the ocean almost immediately!
Males grow a striking hook-jaw and hump for spawning!
Pink Salmon are the most numerous Pacific salmon species!
They have a super short two-year lifespan, then they're done!
Special abilities
Ability
Salt-to-Fresh Adapter
Pink Salmon can survive in both fresh and saltwater by adapting their bodies because of their anadromous life cycle.
Ability
Spawning Hump Growth
Male Pink Salmon develop a large dorsal hump during spawning to display dominance and intimidate rivals for mates.
Ability
Homing Instinct
Pink Salmon can find their way back to their exact birth river using their amazing sense of smell.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-60 cm
- Weight
- 1-2.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 2 years
- Swim Speed
- 12 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 250 m
- Water Type
- Saltwater
Diet & Feeding
Pink Salmon eat tiny ocean creatures like plankton and small fish, growing bigger in the sea!
Age differences: Young salmon eat zooplankton and insects in estuaries; adults primarily eat small fish, krill, and squid in the ocean.
Primary Foods
- copepods
- krill
- small squid
- small fish
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Grizzly Bear
Ursus arctos
Spawning salmon are a vital food source.
eats
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Eagles snatch salmon from rivers during migrations.
eats
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
Seals prey on salmon in coastal waters.
eaten by
Pacific Krill
Euphausia pacifica
Krill are a primary food source for adults.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Also known as
Humpback SalmonOncorhynchus Salmon
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Pink Salmon?
30-60 cm
How much does Pink Salmon weigh?
1-2.5 kg
How long does Pink Salmon live?
2 years
What does Pink Salmon eat?
Pink Salmon eat tiny ocean creatures like plankton and small fish, growing bigger in the sea!
How fast can Pink Salmon swim?
12 km/h
Where is Pink Salmon usually found?
Ocean and freshwater rivers
How does Pink Salmon hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Pink Salmon go?
250 m
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