Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic Salmon or Black Salmon (Salmo salar)

Identification:

Juveniles: Eight to ten parr marks, red dot between marks. Black spots on back and sides. Deeply forked tail.

Adults: Silvery appearance with light brown to green on the dorsal surface. Numerous black spots, mostly above lateral line and often x-shaped along dorsal surface. Large black spots on operculum. Caudal fin usually not pigmented.

Spawning adults: Males develop a pointed snout and a hook or kype on the tip of the lower jaw. Both sexes become darker, spotting on the operculum increases. Pectoral and caudal fins darken. During spawning both sexes develop an overall bronze-purple colouration, and may develop reddish spots on the head and body.

Life History: Native to Atlantic regions, introduced through fish farms in the Pacific and Pacific coast streams. Anadromous, with some entirely fresh water populations. Anadromous maturing adults move into estuaries and then on to their streams between spring and early autumn. Spawning occurs in October and November. The female chooses the redd site and is usually a gravel bottom riffle area above or below a pool. The female digs the nest(s) and lays her eggs which are simultaneously fertilized by the male. Fecundity varies from population and body size, but a general average is about 700 eggs per female per pound of body weight. Atlantic salmon commonly survive to spawn again in the following year. Fry remain in the stream for anywhere from two to eight years before migrating to the ocean (or lake if fresh water populations). Individuals remain in the ocean (or lake) for one to years before returning to spawn.

Feeding: Juveniles in streams feed mainly on aquatic insect larvae including chironomids, mayflies, and blackflies, also on terrestrial insects. Ocean fish prey mainly on crustaceans and on other fishes.

References:

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sci/aqua/pages/firstnat_e.htm

Atlantic Salmon Watch Program. Pamphlet from Pacific Biological Station. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Government of Canada.

Scott, W and Crossman, E. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Bulletin 184. Ottawa, Ontario.

Freshwater Fishes of Canada