Salmon Physiology.

Capable of going back and forth between river and sea, salmon are able to live in both salt water and fresh water. They control the amount of their drinking water and urination accordingly.

[Salmon (White Salmon)] Age of maturity 2-6 years. Body length.45-85cm.

All fish of the salmon family have a fleshy fan-shaped fin.

*The changing of body color and shape.
Salmon bodies are silvery white while in the ocean, but acquire a black taint as they return to the river for spawning. Some males develop humped backs and hooked noses.

*Salmon evolution.
Salmon were originally fresh-water fish. Some say they ventured out into the ocean for its abundant food during the Ice Age.

*Types of salmon.

There are 9 genera and 70 species of salmon known in the world. 3 genera and 7 species are native to Japan: Hucho (Hucho trout), Salvelinus (Japanese char), and Oncorhynchus (Oncorhynchus keta, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Oncorhynchus masou, and Oncorhynchus nerkaj

[Oncorhynchus gorbuscha] Age of maturity: 3-4 years. Body length: 30-60cm.
[Oncorhynchus masou] Age of maturity: 3 years. Body length: 40-60cm.
[Oncorhynchus nerka] Age of maturity: 3-5 years. Body length: 30-50cm.


back