There are many types of salmon, the Coho, Chinook, Sockeye and others. They all live in salty and fresh water. They die after spawning, then a new life cycle begins.
The Pacific salmon hatch in rivers of the British Columbia, western United States and down as far as California. Some are even born in Japan and Siberia. The salmon live in the northern third of the world.
In the stages of the salmon's life their appearances really change. When salmon are in the baby stage they're called alevins. They have soft see - through bodies. Baby salmon also have enormous eyes compared to their small figures. On the under side of the baby salmon there is a sac, it is the yolk from the egg. During the first few weeks the baby gets nourishment from it. As the alvien gets older its yolk sac disappears, now it becomes a fry. Frys are only one inch, but they look like real fish now. They have small fins and scales. As an adult the salmon have shiny scales that overlap. Slimy mucus that covers their bodies help them slip over sharp rocks and things. Salmon have V- shaped tail fins. On their stomachs they have two small fins, that help them turn and stop. Beside these fins are a single fin that acts as a keel. Salmon also have a large fin on their back. Pacific salmon vary from 19 - 90 pounds. Same salmon have spotted backs and shiny stomachs. Pacific salmon live in the Pacific Ocean, but when they spawn they swim into rivers.
Baby salmon feed of the yolk still attached to their bodies. When they get older they eat pieces of food that drift into their mouths. Soon they start eating small larvae and then bigger ones and insects. As adults they learn how to jump high into the air to get their food.
Salmon can jump 12 feet in the air. Female salmon can lay about 20,000 eggs. Some salmon have been recorded to be five feet long and 100 pounds or more! When salmon take their long journey it can be as long as 1,800 miles! Salmon are special because they can live in salty and fresh water by increasing and decreasing the amount of salt in their bodies.
A myth about salmon is that they're princesses and princes that live in a beautiful under water palace, and when they come inland, they put on salmon robes and swim up the rivers. So next time you see a salmon in a river you'll know where it's going.