Signaling

Fish use body posture and movement to send signals to each other. Some of these postures exaggerate secondary sexual characteristics such as jaw size and body height in the case of salmon males. Males signal to females to stimulate them to spawn. Males and females use signals to assert dominance.

Male Coho Salmon quivers female
An alpha male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) comes alongside a female and quivers his body as part of courtship communication in a stained water Alaska stream in the Copper River Delta, Alaska during the autumn.
18mile Creek Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Copper River Delta Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sea Sea internal correction lens Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate WPY2022 alpha male biological biosphere chordate courtship in situ living male behavior naturalworld nature organism quivering spawning behavior underwater underwaterphoto wild
An alpha male Chum Salmon gapes
An alpha male Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) gapes while courting the female just ahead of him signaling his intentions to her as well as threatening two rival and gaping males. As well, another female watches as she is guarding her redd just downstream. Also visible at the top of the frame in this topside view is a school of migrating salmon in deeper water.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Chum Salmon Class Actinopterygii Dog Salmon Ecology Fish Hartney Creek Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus keta Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate courtship covering redd diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature near Cordova organism photographed under water semelparity semelparous spawning spawning act spawning behavior stream topside under fresh water underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Courting Sockeye Salmon
Male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) crosses over a female to stimulate her to excavate the redd is part of courtship.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Power Creek Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate courtship crossingover in situ living naturalworld nature near Cordova organism spawning behavior underwater underwaterphoto wild
The gape threat
Male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) signaling a threat by gaping. Photographed in situ using a Canon 1Dx camera in a Seacam underwater housing.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Power Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sea Sea internal correction lens Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate gaping in situ living naturalworld nature near Cordova organism threat posture underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Crossing over
Alpha male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) stimulates female during courtship by crossing over the posterior end of her body.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Power Creek Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Sea Sea internal correction lens Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate WPY2022 alpha male biological biosphere breeding pair chordate courtship crossingover in situ living male behavior naturalworld nature near Cordova organism spawning behavior underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Gape threat
While guarding his position to spawn with a female excavating her redd, this Alpha male Coho Salmon (Onorhynchus kisutch) ) threatens an intruder by gaping. Potential snear males flank the spawning couple alongside and downstream of the redd.
Actinopterygii Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate alpha male biological biosphere chordate courtship in situ living male behavior naturalworld nature organism underwater underwaterphoto wild
A Dolly Varden male being agressive by gaping.
A Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) male being agressive by gaping. Underwater image in an Alaska stream during autumn.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater gaping in situ iteroparity iteroparous living lotic male behavior male threat posture migratory naturalworld organism stream under fresh water underwater wild wild char wild charr wild salmon wild trout
Gaping male Sockeye Salmon
Male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) schooled alongside Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) gapes to sert his dominance among the other males competeing for a female in the school.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate WPY2022 aggression biological biosphere chordate gaping in situ living naturalworld nature organism summer underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Gaping Chum Salmon
A Gaping male Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in a school of conspecifics on their spawning migration in Montana Creek, near Talkeetna, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chinook Salmon Chordata Chum Salmon Class Actinopterygii Dog Salmon Ecology Fish Infraclass Teleostei King Salmon Neopterygii Oncorhynchus keta Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate courtship covering redd diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism photographed under water semelparity semelparous spawning behavior stream under fresh water underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Male Cutthroat Trout gaping
Male Searun Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) gaping during spawning migration is asserting his position in the stream.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coastal Cutthroat Trout Cordova Eccles Creek Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus clarkii Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii Pacific trout Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Searun Coastal Cutthroat Trout South Central Alaska Spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater gaping in situ iteroparity iteroparous living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism searun stream threat posture under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild char wild salmon wild trout
Male Cutthroat Trout flared throat aggressive display
Male Searun Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) challenging another fish by using the flared throat aggressive display, which reveals the red slashes giving the species its name.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coastal Cutthroat Trout Cordova Eccles Creek Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus clarkii Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii Pacific trout Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Searun Coastal Cutthroat Trout South Central Alaska Spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism searun stream threat posture under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild trout
Back-off!
This alpha male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) aggressively defending his place from an intruding male by gaping.
Actinopterygii Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate gaping in situ living naturalworld nature organism underwater underwaterphoto wild www.salmonography.com
Double Aggression
Both the female Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus) and her alpha male are making aggressive gapes as part of the courtship process. The female is defening her spot (redd location) from another female (tail in frame at left) while the alpha male is flanked by two hook-nosed contenders for his spot as mate.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate in situ living naturalworld nature organism underwater underwaterphoto wild
Female aggression
This female Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is gaping at an intruding female (outside the frame) in defence of her territory.
Actinopterygii Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate courtship female aggresision female behavior gaping in situ living naturalworld nature organism underwater underwaterphoto wild
Crossing-over
This male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) starts to cross over the female he is courting to stimulate her on.
Actinopterygii Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate courtship crossingover in situ living naturalworld nature organism spawning behavior underwater underwaterphoto wild
Deflecting an intruder
A female Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) rises up from her redd building to threaten an intuder that had approached her by drifting downstream.
Actinopterygii Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate courtship female aggresision female behavior gaping in situ living naturalworld nature organism underwater underwaterphoto wild
Gaping
An alpha male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) gapes at a female while she excavates her redd to stimulate her progress.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Power Creek Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Silver Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate courtship female behavior gaping in situ living naturalworld near Cordova organism redd excavation underwater
Gaping Coho Salmon
A male and female Coho Salmon a.k.a. Silver Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) exchange gapes while schooled near spawning habitat.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate courtship in situ living naturalworld nature nuptial coloration ocean bright organism run timing underwater underwaterphoto wild
Quivering
A male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) closely approaches the female he is courting and quivers his body in an attempt to stimulate her to spawn.
Actinopterygii Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate courting pair courtship in situ living male behavior naturalworld nature organism quivering underwater underwaterphoto wild
Gaping male
A male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) threatens a challenger by gaping.
Actinopterygii Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate gaping in situ living naturalworld nature organism underwater underwaterphoto wild www.salmonography.com
Sockeye Salmon emerging from glacial water
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) emerging from glacial water in a staging area. Gaping male signaling his dominance is at the lead. Aspect Ratio = 1:1.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism semelparity semelparous staging stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Three gaping Sockeye Salmon
Three Sockeye Salmon in this school are asserting themsleves by gaping.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Copper River Delta Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Saddlebag Creek Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate gaping in situ living naturalworld nature organism staging underwater underwaterphoto wild
Lateral display
Male Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) agression: lateral display. One male is challenging the other for alpha male position with this aggressive display.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Chum Salmon Class Actinopterygii Dog Salmon Ecology Fish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus keta Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate courtship covering redd in situ lateral display living naturalworld nature organism photographed under water spawning behavior underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Gaping stimulation
With the female off her redd (to his left), a Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) alpha male gapes attempting to stimulate the female resuming her redd excavation in spite of two competing and disruptive males and a guarding female lurking down and upstream, respectively.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Chum Salmon Class Actinopterygii Dog Salmon Ecology Fish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus keta Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression alpha male biological biosphere chordate courtship covering redd gaping in situ living male behavior naturalworld nature organism photographed under water spawning behavior underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Male Pink Salmon challengers
A female Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) flanked by competing males signaling their desire to spawn with her by their gaping behavior. The larger male is the alpha male. He is much larger with a taller hump than the competing sneaker male. Photographed under water in an inter-tidal creek (at low tide) that is tributary to Prince William Sound, Alaska using a Canon EOS-1Ds Mk II camera in a Seacam underwater housing equipped with an 8-15mm fisheye lens set at 15mm.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Eccles Creek Ecology Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism semelparity semelparous stream summer under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Gaping female Pink Salmon
Female Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) signaling a threat with her gape while a Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) lurks on the bottom. Aspect ratio = 1:2.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form Eccles Creek Ecology Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Courting Sockeye Salmon
A male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) approaches and quivers a female as part of courtship.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate in situ living naturalworld nature organism underwater underwaterphoto wild
Searun Coastal Cutthroat Trout pair in a small stream
Searun Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) male signaling a female by his raised head posture in a small tributary of Prince William Sound, Alaska. Aspect Ratio = 2:3.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coastal Cutthroat Trout Cordova Eccles Creek Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus clarkii Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii Pacific trout Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Searun Coastal Cutthroat Trout South Central Alaska Spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism searun stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild trout
Courting Searaun Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Searaun Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) courting in a stream. The male is quivering the female as well as displaying his "cutthroat".
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coastal Cutthroat Trout Cordova Eccles Creek Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus clarkii Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii Pacific trout Phylum Chordata Prince William Sound Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate courtship in situ living male behavior naturalworld nature organism quivering underwater underwaterphoto wild
Gaping Coho Salmon male
To encouage his mate to spawn, a male Coho Salmon a.k.a. Silver Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) gapes in an Alaska, USA stream during the autumn.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromous fish anadromy biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic male behavior male gaping migratory naturalworld nature organism semelparity semelparous stream threat posture under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
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.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate alpha male biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous living lotic male behavior migratory naturalworld nature organism stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild char wild charr wild trout
Dolly Varden spawning pair
Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) probing her redd as the male sends signals by crossing over and quivering his colorful paired fins . Aspect ratio = 2:3.
Alaska PacificSalmon probing SalmonBehavior Actinopterygii Alaska wild salmon Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous living lotic migratory naturalworld organism spawning behavior stream under fresh water underwater waving wild wild char wild charr wild trout
Keep away!
A female Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) gapes aggressively at an intruding female.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate in situ living naturalworld nature organism threat posture underwater underwaterphoto wild
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.
Alaska PacificSalmon probing SalmonBehavior Actinopterygii Alaska wild salmon Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate alpha male anadromous anadromous fish anadromy biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic male behavior migratory naturalworld nature organism salmonography.com semelparity semelparous spawning behavior stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Maturing Coho Salmon
A still bright Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) gapes while holding near a spawning area. Aspect Ratio = 1:2.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Autumn Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromous fish anadromy biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism salmonography.com semelparity semelparous spawning migration stream threat posture under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Pink salmon spawning migration
Potential alpha male Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) gaping during spawning migration. Underwater view in an Alaskan stream during the summer.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Chum Salmon Class Actinopterygii Dog Salmon Ecology Fish Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus keta Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate courtship covering redd diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic male behavior male threat posture migratory naturalworld nature organism photographed under water salmonography.com schooling semelparity semelparous spawning behavior spawning migration stream threat posture under fresh water underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Sneaker male courting
A Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) sneaker male courts a female that is in the process of building her redd while the alpha male is away fighting. He is attempting to stimulate the female into spawning using crossing over and gaping as signals. Underwater view in an Alaskan intertidal stream during the summer.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ intertidal spawning living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Aggressive posture
Head-up aggressive posture by a male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka).
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate in situ living naturalworld nature organism underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Coastal Cutthroat Trout displaying red throat slashes
Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii; in picture at left) displaying red throat slashes while in a staging area prior to spawning. Aspect Ratio = 2:3.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coastal Cutthroat Trout Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus clarkii Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii Pacific trout Phylum Chordata Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate in situ living naturalworld nature organism underwater underwaterphoto wild wild char wild charr wild trout
Aggressive male
This male Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) is signaling his aggressive intent by gaping. As well, scars running along his back suggest a recent history of combat.
Actinopterygii Alaska Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression biological biosphere chordate gaping in situ living naturalworld nature organism underwater underwaterphoto wild
Snout up aggressive posture
Male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) challenging another male by raising his snout. Aspect ratio = 3:4..
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism salmonography.com semelparity semelparous stream threat posture under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Male Sockeye courtship behavior
A male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) defending his place with a female (at the far left) with a snout up aggressive posture. Aspect ratio = 1:2.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism semelparity semelparous spawning behavior stream threat posture under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Snout up aggressive posture
Male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) challenging another male by raising his snout. Aspect Ratio = 2:3.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism salmonography.com semelparity semelparous stream threat posture under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Male Coho Salmon doing gaping threat display
Male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) doing the gaping threat display. Aspect Ratio = 1:2.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromous fish anadromy biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism salmonography.com semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Sockeye Salmon spawning pair
Male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) quivering (courtship) a female, which generates surface waves. Aspect Ratio = 3:4.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Reproductive behavior Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic male behavior migratory naturalworld nature organism quivering salmonography.com semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Male Sockeye Salmon threat posture
Male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) threatening another male by raising his snout. Aspect Ratio = 3:4.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus nerka Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Red Salmon Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Sockeye Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism salmonography.com semelparity semelparous stream threat posture under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Male Coho Salmon gaping during spawning migration
Potential alpha male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) gaping during spawning migration. Aspect Ratio 1:2.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Ecology Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromous fish anadromy biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature organism salmonography.com semelparity semelparous stream threat posture under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). Aspect ratio = 4:5.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Animal Biology Chordata Class Actinopterygii Cordova Ecology Hartney Bay Hartney Creek Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Pink Salmon Prince William Sound Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biological biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ living lotic migratory naturalworld nature near Cordova organism semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon

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