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