Fish · GBIF taxon 5204034
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutchAlso known as Silver Salmon, Medium Red Salmon, Silvers
Coho salmon spend their early lives in cold freshwater streams before migrating to the Pacific Ocean to feed and mature. Adults return to their natal rivers after several years, transforming from sleek silver ocean hunters into deep crimson spawners with pronounced hooked jaws. Their decaying bodies transport vital ocean nutrients into coastal forest ecosystems, feeding hundreds of wildlife species.
AnadromousMigratoryFish
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Herring
- Sand Lance
- Krill
Predators
- Grizzly Bear
- Orca
- Bald Eagle
ThreatsHabitat loss, dams, climate change, stream degradation, and overfishing
HabitatsCoastal oceans, estuaries, and cold freshwater streams with gravel beds
Life span3 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilySalmonidae
- SpeciesOncorhynchus kisutch
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for silver fish transitioning to dark red bodies with white gums along the lower toothline.
- Support conservation
- Watch from riverbanks without stepping into shallow spawning gravel or blocking fish nests.
Responsible observation
- Spawning Watch: Observe migrating adults leaping up fish ladders and low waterfalls during autumn.
- Protect Redds: Avoid stepping on gravel beds in shallow streams where eggs are buried.
Predator (c) Martín Acosta Albarracín, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Martín Acosta Albarracín · cc-by
Predator (c) Thibaud Aronson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Thibaud Aronson · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Cole Wolf, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cole Wolf · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Bruce Deagle, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bruce Deagle · cc-by
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