The Coho Salmon

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Coho Salmon
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Image of animal

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General Information;

Type: Fish
Diet: Omnivore
Size: 28 inches
Weight: 7 to 11 pounds
Conservation status: Not applicable
Scientific Classification:
Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man: Not applicable
Coho Salmon Range


The coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or "silvers". It is the state animal of Chiba, Japan.
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Physical Features;
During their ocean phase, coho salmon have silver sides and dark-blue backs. During their spawning phase, their jaws and teeth become hooked. After entering fresh water, they develop bright-red sides, bluish-green heads and backs, dark bellies and dark spots on their backs. Sexually maturing fish develop a light-pink or rose shading along the belly, and the males may show a slight arching of the back. Mature adults have a pronounced red skin color with darker backs and average 28 inches (71 cm) and 7 to 11 pounds (3.2 to 5.0 kg), occasionally reaching up to 36 pounds (16 kg). Mature females may be darker than males, with both showing a pronounced hook on the nose.
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Mental Features;
During the spawning process the Coho Salmon doesn't eat anything and turns a bright red with a bluish green head and a dark belly. Their jaws also undergo changes as they become more hooked. Females are normally darker and have an even more pronounced hook than the males of this species of Salmon. After the Coho spawns it dies completing the life cycle that began just three years earlier.
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Diet;
In the beginning of its life the Coho Salmon will feed on plankton and insects. As they become bigger and make their way to the saltwater they begin to eat small fish. Coho Salmon can grow to about 2' (61 cm) in length and can weigh as much as 36lbs (16kg). Due to overfishing in many areas the population of Coho Salmon has dramatically dropped in recent years.
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Habitat;
Coho spend approximately the first half of their life cycle rearing and feeding in streams and small freshwater tributaries. Spawning habitat is small streams with stable gravel substrates. The remainder of the life cycle is spent foraging in estuarine and marine waters of the Pacific Ocean.
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Credits (c);

Images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soggydan/4041050503/

Information:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/fish/cohosalmon.htm
http://fishindex.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/coho-salmon-oncorhynchus-kisutch.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coho_Salmon
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