Salmon Identification Guide: Tell Every Species Apart
Seven major salmon species swim the world's cold-water rivers and oceans, and correctly identifying them matters for anglers, scientists, and conservationists alike. This guide breaks down the key visual features — spots, fins, body shape, and colouration — that separate each species. Or upload a photo to let the AI identify your salmon instantly.
📷 Upload Photo & Identify NowKey Features to Look For
- Spotting pattern: Where spots appear (back, tail, fins) and their size are primary identification clues.
- Tail shape: Forked, slightly forked, or nearly straight — varies by species.
- Gum colour: The colour of the gum line at the base of the teeth distinguishes Chinook (black) from Coho (white/grey).
- Anal fin rays: Counting rays requires a fish in hand but is the most reliable method for Pacific species.
- Adipose fin: All salmon have this small, fleshy fin between the dorsal and tail — its presence separates salmon from most other species.
- Body depth and shape: Sockeye are slender; Chinook are the deepest-bodied; Chum have a distinctive "tiger stripe" in spawning colouration.
Species Quick-Reference Chart
| Species | Max Size | Spots | Tail | Gum Colour | Key Trait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook O. tshawytscha | 58 kg | Black on back, dorsal & both tail lobes | Slightly forked | Black | Largest Pacific salmon; 13–19 anal rays |
| Coho O. kisutch | 15 kg | Small black spots on back & upper tail lobe only | Slightly forked | White/grey | White-tipped fins in spawning males |
| Sockeye O. nerka | 7 kg | No distinct spots | Forked | White | Turns brilliant red with green head in spawning |
| Pink O. gorbuscha | 5 kg | Large oval spots on back & both tail lobes | Forked | White | Males develop pronounced hump when spawning |
| Chum O. keta | 16 kg | No spots; faint grid pattern | Forked | White | Purple/red tiger stripes in spawning colouration |
| Atlantic Salmo salar | 47 kg | Black spots (often X-shaped) above lateral line | Slightly forked | White | Only Atlantic species; can be caught multiple times |
| Steelhead O. mykiss | 20 kg | Small black spots across body & fins | Square/slightly forked | White | Sea-run Rainbow Trout; pink lateral stripe when spawning |
Atlantic vs Pacific Salmon
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) are the only species in the genus Salmo commonly called salmon in North America and Europe. They can survive spawning and return to the sea multiple times — unlike Pacific species, which are semelparous (die after spawning).
Pacific salmon (genus Oncorhynchus) includes Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, and Chum. All five Pacific species die after their first spawning, with their decaying bodies fertilising the surrounding forest ecosystem. Steelhead (O. mykiss) are technically Rainbow Trout that have undergone a sea-run life cycle.