Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Scientific name: Oncorhynchus kisutch Walbaum, 1792

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

The Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is a freshwater fish of the family Salmonidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 25°C (77°F).

Coho salmon care at a glance

Temperature
25°C (77°F)

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. The gill rakers are rough and widely spaced; the lateral line is nearly straight. The adipose fin is slender; the pelvic fins have an axillary extension. 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. 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. Females are less brightly colored than males.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Family
Salmonidae (Salmonids)
Order
Salmoniformes (Salmons)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
108
Common length
59.5
Depth range
0–250 m (0–820 ft)
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous; depth range 0 - 250 m
Climate
Temperate
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.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.98(?); tm=2-4; Fec=1,400)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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