Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

Also known as:	Red salmon

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Actinopterygii
Order	Salmoniformes
Family	Salmonidae
Genus	Oncorhynchus (1)

Top facts

• There are about 93 independent and reproductively isolated subpopulations of sockeye salmon.
• Born in lakes and rivers, sockeye salmon migrate to the ocean after 1-3 years. At maturity, they return to their natal freshwater habitat to spawn.
• In the ocean, sockeye salmon are bluish back with silver sides. While spawning, they turn bright red with green heads.
• The population of sockeye salmon called “Kokanee” lives its entire life within freshwater.

The sockeye salmon is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Information on the sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) is being researched and written and will appear here shortly.

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

1. IUCN Red List (July, 2012)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org