Sockeye salmon

Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), also known as red salmon or blueback salmon in the United States, is a species of salmon found in the Northern Pacific Ocean and rivers discharging into it. This species is a Pacific salmon that is primarily red in hue during spawning. They can grow up to 84 cm in length and weigh 2.3 to 7 kg.

Life Cycle

Sockeye Salmon are anadromous, living in the ocean but entering fresh water to spawn. The life cycle of the sockeye salmon is complex, with the fish spending one to four years in freshwater followed by two to three years in the ocean before returning to their natal streams to spawn.

Distribution and Habitat

Sockeye Salmon are found from the northern Bering Sea to Japan and south to California. They are found in the Pacific Ocean and in freshwater systems that flow into it.

Diet

The diet of the Sockeye Salmon consists primarily of zooplankton. However, they will also eat small fish and insects.

Threats and Conservation

Sockeye Salmon populations are currently facing numerous threats including overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change. Conservation efforts are in place to protect and restore sockeye salmon populations.

See Also

• Salmon
• Pacific Salmon
• Anadromous Fish

References

Sockeye salmon Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.