Sockeye salmon

Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

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.

Pronunciation

Sockeye: /ˈsɒk.aɪ/

Etymology

The name "Sockeye" is believed to be derived from the Salish word sukkai.

Description

Sockeye salmon are blue tinged with silver in color while living in the ocean. Just prior to spawning, their bodies become bright red and their heads turn green. Sockeye salmon can reach 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 female chooses a spot in a stream with fine gravel, where she makes a nest known as a redd. The female lays her eggs in the redd, a male fertilizes the eggs, and the female covers them up. The eggs remain in the gravel throughout the winter, and the baby salmon, called alevin, emerge in the spring.

Diet

While in fresh water, their diets will mainly consist of zooplankton. However, as they return to the ocean, they will shift their diet to small fishes and squids.

Related Terms

• Anadromous
• Salmon
• Zooplankton
• Salishan languages

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Sockeye salmon
• Wikipedia's article - Sockeye salmon

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