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Coho Salmon

Sicuro

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Conosciuto anche come: Silver Salmon, Hooknose (males), Blueback (juveniles)

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Descrizione

The Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family (Salmonidae). It is native to the coastal waters of the North Pacific Ocean, from Hokkaido, Japan, and eastern Russia, around the Bering Sea to Alaska, and south to Monterey Bay, California. Coho salmon are highly prized for both commercial and recreational fishing due to their fighting ability and excellent flesh quality. They exhibit a complex life cycle, spending their early life in freshwater streams, migrating to the ocean to mature, and then returning to their natal streams to spawn.

Caratteristiche fisiche

Forma del corpo
torpedo
Colorazione
Ocean-phase Coho salmon are typically bright silver on their sides, with a darker blue-green back. They have small, irregular black spots on their back and the upper lobe of their caudal fin. During spawning, males develop a reddish-maroon coloration on their sides, a dark back, and a pronounced kype (hooked snout). Females also darken and may show some reddish hues.
Tipo di squame
cycloid
Posizione della bocca
terminal
Caratteristiche distintive
Small, irregular black spots on the back and upper lobe of the caudal fin (tail fin)., White gums at the base of the teeth, with black pigment along the gum line of the lower jaw (distinguishes from Chinook)., Relatively small eye compared to body size., Spawning males develop a pronounced kype (hooked snout) and a reddish body coloration., Average adult size: 60-75 cm (24-30 inches) in length, 3.5-5.5 kg (8-12 lbs) in weight. Can reach up to 108 cm (42 inches) and 15 kg (33 lbs).
Pinna dorsale
Single dorsal fin, relatively tall, with 10-14 rays. Adipose fin present.
Pinna caudale
Moderately forked caudal fin (tail fin), with small, irregular black spots on the upper lobe.
Pinna pettorale
Paired pectoral fins, typically clear or slightly dusky.
Pinne distintive
Anal fin with 12-17 rays. Pelvic fins are paired and located abdominally.

Consigli per l'identificazione

Spots on Tail

Coho salmon typically have small, irregular black spots primarily on the upper lobe of their caudal fin. Chinook salmon have spots on both lobes.

Gum Line

Examine the gum line of the lower jaw. Coho salmon have white gums with a black pigment line only at the base of the teeth. Chinook salmon have entirely black gums.

Body Coloration (Ocean Phase)

Bright silver sides with a dark blue-green back. Less pronounced spotting than Chinook.

Spawning Coloration

Males develop a distinctive reddish-maroon body and a prominent kype (hooked snout). Females also darken and may show some red.

Eye Size

Coho salmon generally have a relatively smaller eye compared to their body size than some other salmon species.

Habitat

Tipo di acqua
brackish
Profondità
Oceanic phase: surface to several hundred meters. Freshwater phase: shallow to moderate depths in rivers and streams.
Ambiente
Anadromous species. Spends 1-2 years in freshwater streams and rivers (often with gravel bottoms and ample cover), then migrates to the open ocean (pelagic zone) for 1-2 years, returning to freshwater to spawn.
Areale geografico
North Pacific Ocean: from Hokkaido, Japan, and eastern Russia (including Kamchatka Peninsula) across the Bering Sea to Alaska, and south along the North American coast to Monterey Bay, California. Also introduced to the Great Lakes and other areas.

Informazioni sull'acquario

  • Livello di cura: expert
  • Temperamento: aggressive
  • Dieta: carnivore
  • Dimensione minima della vasca: Not suitable for typical home aquariums due to size, migratory nature, and specific environmental requirements. Requires specialized public aquarium facilities.
  • Temperatura: 4-15°C (39-59°F)
  • Livello di pH: 6.5-8.0
  • Durezza: 50-200 ppm
  • Compatibilità: Not compatible with most other fish species due to predatory nature and specific environmental needs. Best kept in species-specific, large, cold-water exhibits.
  • Requisiti speciali: Requires extremely large, cold, highly oxygenated, and pristine freshwater and saltwater environments that mimic their natural migratory habitats. Not a suitable aquarium fish for private enthusiasts.

Informazioni in natura

  • Stato di conservazione: least concern
  • Stagionalità: Ocean phase typically lasts 18 months. Spawning runs occur from late summer to late autumn, peaking in September-November depending on the region.
  • Prezzo di mercato: Varies significantly by region, season, and form (fresh, frozen, smoked), but generally commands a high price due to quality.
  • Importanza commerciale: high
  • Sapore: Rich, distinct salmon flavor, often described as less oily than Chinook but more so than Pink salmon.
  • Consistenza: Firm, flaky, and moist, with a medium-red to orange flesh color.
  • Metodi di cottura: Grilling, Baking, Pan-searing, Smoking, Poaching, Broiling
  • Valore nutrizionale: Excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, high in protein, Vitamin D, and B vitamins.

Fatti chiave

Anadromous Life Cyclebehavior

Coho salmon are anadromous, meaning they hatch in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to grow and mature, and then return to their natal freshwater streams to spawn and die.

Kype Developmentbehavior

Spawning male Coho salmon develop a distinctive, strongly hooked snout called a 'kype,' which is used in territorial disputes and courtship.

Juvenile Dietbehavior

Juvenile Coho salmon in freshwater are primarily insectivores, feeding on aquatic and terrestrial insects. As they grow, they become more piscivorous.

Oceanic Dietbehavior

In the ocean, Coho salmon are voracious predators, feeding mainly on smaller fish like herring, sandlance, and juvenile salmon, as well as squid and crustaceans.

Conservation Effortsinteresting

While globally 'Least Concern,' many specific populations of Coho salmon, particularly in the southern parts of their range (e.g., California), are listed as threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, degradation, and overfishing.

Informazioni di sicurezza

Sicuro
  • Livello di sicurezza: safe
  • Velenoso: No
  • Commestibilità: edible
  • Note sul maneggio: Coho salmon are not venomous. Handle with care to avoid injury from their sharp teeth, especially during spawning when males develop a kype. When practicing catch-and-release, minimize handling time, keep the fish in water as much as possible, and use wet hands to protect their slime coat.

Specie simili

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Chinook salmon (King Salmon) typically have black spots on both lobes of the caudal fin, and their entire gum line on the lower jaw is black. They also tend to be larger on average than Coho.

Sockeye Salmon

Oncorhynchus nerka

Sockeye salmon (Red Salmon) lack significant spots on their back or tail. Spawning Sockeye are brilliant red with green heads, a very distinct coloration. Their gill rakers are more numerous and slender than Coho.

Pink Salmon

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

Pink salmon (Humpback Salmon) have large, oval-shaped spots on their back and both lobes of the caudal fin. Spawning males develop a very pronounced hump on their back. They are generally smaller than Coho.

Classificazione scientifica

Regno
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Classe
Actinopterygii
Ordine
Salmoniformes
Famiglia
Salmonidae
Genere
Oncorhynchus
Specie
kisutch

Esplora Coho Salmon

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