Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) fish species and information / pictures of Chum salmon - Oncorhynchus keta

Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) fish species information

Scientific Name
Oncorhynchus keta

Common Name
Chum salmon

Biology
Inhabits ocean and coastal streams. Migrating fry form schools in estuaries, remain close to shore for a few months and finally disperse to enter the sea (Ref. 1998). Epipelagic (Ref. 58426). Juveniles and adults feed mainly on copepods, tunicates and euphausiids but also on pteropods, squid and small fishes (Ref. 1998). Adults cease feeding in freshwater (Ref. 1998). Males and females die after spawning. The catch is mostly canned but also sold fresh, dried-salted, smoked, and frozen. Eaten steamed, fried, broiled, boiled, microwaved, and baked (Ref. 9988). Utilized for caviar. The Alaska Salmon fishery of this species has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (http://www.msc.org/) as well-managed and sustainable (http://www.msc.org/html/content_485.htm).

Classification

Classified By

Walbaum, 1792

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Salmons (Salmoniformes)

Family

Salmonids (Salmonidae)

Distribution

Region

North Pacific

Distribution

North Pacific: Korea , Japan, Okhotsk and Bering Sea (Ref. 1998), Arctic Alaska south to San Diego, California, USA. Asia: Iran (Ref. 39702).

Range

67°N - 24°N, 130°E - 110°W

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

24 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

250 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 250 m (Ref. 50550)

Trophic Level

3.47 s.e. 0.48 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

58.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (49 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.27-0.45; tm=2-5; tmax=6)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated