The Five Salmon Species in the Pacific Ocean

Chinook

 

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Chinook salmon also known as Springs or King salmon, are the largest of the 5 salmon species in the Pacific Ocean.  The average size ranges from 24 to 35 inches and weight around 10 to 50 lbs.  These salmon have small black spots along their back and tail among a blueish green hue.  Their gums are typically black.  When these fish are spawning they turn dark reddish in colour.

Pink Salmon

 

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Pink salmon also known as Humpback salmon have large oval spots across their body and tail.  Where the Chinook are the largest salmon species, the Pink's are smallest in size, but make up for the lack of size in abundance.  At sea they are bright silver and become green-yellowish when they are spawning.  Males develop a destinctive hump along their backs in the spawning stage of their lives.  Their mouth are white with black gums and does not have any teeth on their tongue.  The life cycle of these salmon is only two years.   Pink salmon typically range from 2 to 6 lbs in weight. 

Coho Salmon

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Coho salmon also known as Silvers or Bluebacks have small spots along their dark blueish hue backs and at the top of their silver tail.  They have white gums and a black tongue.  The average lifespan of the Coho is approximately 3 years.  Coho can be found in weights around 2 to 10 lbs and occasionally up to 30 lbs.  As Coho enter freshwater streams and rivers to begin spawning, they turn colours.  Often a pronounced reddish colour, lighter along the belly and dark along their backs.

 

Chum Salmon

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Chum salmon also known as Dog salmon have combination of a faint colourful pink, red, purple, brown vertical stripes along their greenish bodies.  The average lifespan of a Chum is approximately 3 to 5 years.  They typically weigh around 8 to 15 lbs and occasionally up to 30 lbs.  As Chum enter freshwater for spawning their colour changes to a dark green and the belly colour darkens.  They develop more defined reddish and purple streaks.  Males typically develop a pronounced snout near spawning.  

 

Sockeye Salmon

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Sockeye salmon also known as Red salmon are usually spotless and are silver to blue in colour.  They are basically toothless and have a well developed jaw line.  Sockeye typically live 4 to 6 years and weigh between 5 to 8 lbs and up to 15 lbs.   In the spawning stage Sockey turn a bright red while their heads turn a dark green.  The males develop a hooked jaw with a humped back whereas the females do not.