Salmon Identification at Carkeek

We typically only see two different salmon species returning to Carkeek Park to spawn: Chum and Coho.

Chum Salmon: The vast majority of the salmon in Carkeek. Chum are distinguishable by their massive teeth, dark green coloration, and large size. Their eggs are bright orange colored.
Coho Salmon: A small amount of Coho salmon spawn at Carkeek. Coho are distinguishable by their red and sometimes silver coloration, small black spots on their backs, and their smaller size relative to Chum. Their eggs are dark red colored.

Across both species the male fish are generally larger, more brightly colored with more hooked snouts and larger teeth. Male Chum salmon often have bright vertical purple lines while females sometimes have horizontal black lines.

For more salmon identifying resources check out the following links:
Salmon external anatomy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rprDyWSPxY
Salmon identification: https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01384/2012-13_marine.pdf
Salmon identification: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/fishregulations/PDFs/southcentral/2018sc_sfregs_salmon_id.pdf
Chum salmon: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/chum-salmon
Chum salmon: https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/salmon-and-trout/identification/chum.aspx

Can you identify the fish/eggs below? Take a guess and click the image for the answer.

On top is a male Chum and below is a female Chum. Note the green coloration, vertical purple lines and large teeth that distinguish them from Coho. Female chum are typically smaller than males, have less purple striping, smaller teeth and a less hooked snout.

This is a Coho salmon. Note the spots on the upper back and the red coloration. While it’s difficult to tell from this photo this is likely a male due to the large teeth, large amount of red, and hooked snout.

This was from a female Chum salmon. Chum have bright orange eggs.

This is a male Chum salmon. Look at the enormous teeth, hooked snout and vertical purple lines. Male chum can be very tall and will stick out of shallow water a fair amount.

This is a Coho salmon. Note the spots on the upper back and the red coloration. While it’s difficult to tell from this photo this is likely a male due to the large teeth and hooked snout.

This was from a female Coho salmon. Coho have dark red eggs compared to the light orange of Chum. Eggs are still held tightly together by a membrane in what is known as a skein. This indicates the salmon likely died prematurely.

All Chum. We have a lot of Chum at Carkeek.

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