Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) fish species and information / pictures of Coho salmon - Oncorhynchus kisutch

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) fish species information

Scientific Name
Oncorhynchus kisutch

Common Name
Coho salmon

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 17; Vertebrae: 61 - 69. Characterized by the presence of small black spots on the back and on the upper lobe of the caudal fin, and by the lack of dark pigment along the gum line of the lower jaw (Ref. 27547). The gill rakers are rough and widely spaced; the lateral line is nearly straight (Ref. 27547). The adipose fin is slender; the pelvic fins have an axillary extension (Ref. 27547). Fish in the sea are dark metallic blue or greenish on the back and upper sides, a brilliant silver color on middle and lower sides, and white below; small black spots are present on the back and upper sides and on the upper lobe of the caudal fin (Ref. 27547). During the spawning season fish turn dark to bright green on head and back, bright red on the sides, and often dark on the belly (Ref. 27547). Females are less brightly colored than males (Ref. 27547).

Classification

Classified By
Walbaum, 1792
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Salmons (Salmoniformes)
Family
Salmonids (Salmonidae)

Distribution

Region
North Pacific
Distribution
North Pacific: distributed from the Anadyr River in Russia south towards Hokkaido, Japan, and from Point Hope in Alaska southwards to Chamalu Bay in Baja California, Mexico.
Range
72°N - 22°N, 135°E - 99°W

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
25 °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
250 m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 250 m (Ref. 50550)
Trophic Level
4.22 s.e. 0.73 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
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
108 cm
Common Length
59.5 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
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (53 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.98(?); tm=2-4; Fec=1,400)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated