Alpha Male

Alpha male challenge

Two Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) males competing to be alpha male with the female just out of the right edge of the frame challenging each other using the lateral display and snout-up threat posture.

Jaw to jaw

Two Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) males competing to be alpha male to the beach spawning female behind them assume the agressive lateral display

The alpha male challenge

Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) alpha male raises his snout as an aggressive display towards a challenger (in foreground).

Sockeye Salmon spawning pair

Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) spawning pair. Gravid female above alpha male. Sneaker male just behind them.

Alpha male competition

Competing to be alpha male, one male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) bites another.

Crossing over

Alpha male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) stimulates female during courtship by crossing over the posterior end of her body.

Alpha male contenders

Following a false spawning, the female Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) has slipped downstream yet remains in view of her redd as two alpha male contenders challenge each other with the lateral display right over her redd. A third male also interested in spawning lurks downstream near the female.

Dolly Varden spawning

Alpha male Dolly Varden Charr (Salvelinus malma) quivers the female as spawning ends.

Female Chinook Salmon probes her redd

A Female Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) probes her redd while alpha male guards.

Chum Salmon spawning pair

Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) spawning pair

Dolly Varden pair

Alpha male Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) quivers while displaying his pectoral fins at a female.

Male challenger

A partially spawned-out alpha male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) being challenged by a newcomer approaching from downstream. The female has moved to the side (in the background) to avoid the possible ensuing melee.

Lateral display

Male Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) agression: lateral display. One male is challenging the other for alpha male position with this aggressive display.

Female Chum Salmon probes

A female Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) probes while alpha male blocks a rival's access by crossing-over.

Chum Salmon spawners

Alpha male Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) crosses over the female he is courting.

Sockeye Salmon spawning pair

Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) spawning pair in nuptial coloration. The pronounced hump on this male lends it to being an alpha male.

Dolly Varden spawning pair

Alpha male southern form Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma lordi) signals the female during courtship by extending and quivering his colorful paired fins. There is a small cascade in the background.

Female Coho Salmon probes while male gapes

Female Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) probes while alpha male encouages her to spawn by gaping. Aspect Ratio = 1:2.

Pink salmon spawning pair

Alpha male Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) comes alongside and quivers a female who is probing her redd. Underwater view in an Alaskan intertidal stream during the summer.

Chum Salmon spawning pair

Female Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) excavating her redd as a alpha male guards. Aspect Ratio = 4:5.

Mature male Chum Salmon

Mature male Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) size each other while competing over a female. Alpha male, closer to the viewpoint, has larger teeth than the other male. Underwater view in an Alaskan stream during the summer.

Coho Salmon spawning pair

Female Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) ecavating her redd while alpha male guards. Aspect Ratio = 4:5.

Spawning habitat

A high-humped Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha; a very important species - economically and culturally) alpha male holds his position next to a female excavating her redd while a hierarchy of decreasing hump size satellite males lurk downstream. Another female pink salmon is preparing her redd about two meters away at the right edge of the frame. Photographed under water using a housed camera by natural light. Camera was triggered manually using a remote control as the photographer observed the salmon while wading about two meters upstream in Hartney Creek near Cordova, Alaska, USA.

Coho Salmon spawning pair

Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) spawning pair. Aspect Ratio = 4:5.

Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) spawning pair

Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) spawning pair. Aspect Ratio = 4:5.