📷 no rights reserved · CC0
📷 (c) Ben Rushbrooke, some rights reserved (CC BY)
📷 (c) Nathan Van Cooten, some rights reserved (CC BY)
IUCN: Least Concern
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
KingdomAnimalia›PhylumChordata›ClassActinopterygii›OrderSalmoniformes›FamilySalmonidae›GenusSalmo
About
Atlantic salmon hatch in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to grow, and often return to their natal rivers to spawn. This life cycle links forested headwaters, estuaries, and open ocean food webs. Dams, overfishing, warming rivers, and parasites from aquaculture have harmed many wild runs even though the species remains widespread.
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Cold rivers for spawning; North Atlantic ocean feeding grounds
🍃Diet Aquatic insects and small crustaceans as juveniles; fish and squid at sea
📏Size & Weight Body commonly 70–100 cm
•weight 3–15 kg; larger individuals occur
⏳Lifespan 4–10 years
🗺Range North Atlantic basin and connected rivers
Fish
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Cold rivers for spawning; North Atlantic ocean feeding grounds
🍃Diet Aquatic insects and small crustaceans as juveniles; fish and squid at sea
📏Size & Weight Body commonly 70–100 cm
•weight 3–15 kg; larger individuals occur
⏳Lifespan 4–10 years
🗺Range North Atlantic basin and connected rivers
Photo Credits
#1no rights reserved · CC0
#2(c) Ben Rushbrooke, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
#3(c) Nathan Van Cooten, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
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