Showing Food Pink salmon

General Information

Name

Pink salmon

Scientific Name

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

Description

Pink salmon or humpback salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (from a Russian name for this species gorbúša (горбуша), is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. It is the smallest and most abundant of the Pacific salmon. In the ocean, pink salmon are bright silver fish. After returning to their spawning streams, their coloring changes to pale grey on the back with yellowish-white belly (although some turn an overall dull green color). As with all salmon, in addition to the dorsal fin, they also have an adipose fin. The fish is characterized by a white mouth with black gums, no teeth on the tongue, large oval-shaped black spots on the back, a v-shaped tail, and an anal fin with 13-17 soft rays. During their spawning migration, males develop a pronounced humped back, hence their nickname "humpies". Pink salmon average 4.8 pounds (2.2 kg) in weight. The maximum recorded size was 30 inches (76 cm) and 15 pounds (6.8 kg).

Primary ID

FOOD00450

Picture