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One member of the noble salmon family is commonly called the silver salmon. This species is the coho salmon. It is found in the Pacific Ocean and its tributaries. Although this large predator prefers cold water, unfortunately, it is not possible to catch it on trophy fishing trips in the Putorana Plateau.
This fish, considered a sport fishing trophy, is now second only to the Chinook salmon in popularity. Fishermen from all over the world strive to catch coho salmon, following the rules of the game, especially during the predator's spawning season.
What are the characteristics of this salmon relative?
Coho salmon got its name from its bright silver color in America. In Russia, it's known as whitefish. Like most salmon, the predator, the male, can change color during the spawning season. His mate, the female, almost always remains the same.
The main characteristic of this relative of the taimen and other salmonids is that it spends much less time in the salty ocean than in freshwater bodies. Individuals are most often found closer to tributaries of rivers, where the water is not as salty as in the ocean.
What does coho salmon look like?
When considering the predator's appearance, the following can be highlighted:
· The body is long, slightly flattened on the sides.
· Large head with a fairly wide forehead, cone-shaped.
· Coho salmon have large eyes and mouth.
· Small, silvery scales are located all over the body.
· The back, as well as the top of the head, have a greenish-gray tint.
· The belly is light, almost white, and the fins are grayish.
During spawning, males turn bright red, and their bodies change. Their bodies become more compact. A distinctive hump appears on their back, like that of pink salmon. The head, tongue, and gills darken, and the lower jaw turns white.
Coho salmon are considered medium-sized in size. In Russia, they typically grow to 60-90 cm in length and can weigh up to 7 kg. In the United States, silver salmon can weigh up to 15 kg and reach approximately 1 meter in length.
Where is it found and what value does it represent?
This salmon species has a fairly wide habitat. It can be caught in the rivers of Kamchatka, Chukotka, Anadyr, and Sakhalin, in some lakes in Japan, and in the seas and Pacific Ocean. In some places, the fish are practically of little value. Sometimes, they are simply used as food for domestic animals. During spawning, individuals are able to reproduce with their highly viable eggs. And if humans allow reproduction, the coho salmon population grows rapidly.
Let's sum it up
It's worth noting that silver salmon has high commercial value. It can be found on store shelves even far from its natural habitat. This fish is used to prepare delicious delicacies.
Coho salmon is delicious dried, fried, or salted, or it can be smoked right on the shore. In a pinch, it can be canned. This predatory fish is very tasty and in demand in many countries. Sometimes it's used as dog food, pet food, and fish food, or a special caviar is made from the noble silver salmon.
