Species interactions on the spawning grounds

Different salmonid species compete for similar spawning habitat in space and time. Hybridization is a potential result of spawning habitat overlap. Hybridization may occur accidently if live sperm drift downstream and fertilize the eggs of a different species. Similarity in spawning behavor among salmonids may enable one species to stimulate another into spawning with it. Fighting between species should help to prevent hybrization. Salmonids other than adult Pacific Salmon (because they are anorexic) may feed on salmon eggs.

Interspecies
A male Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) threathens a male Sockeye Salmon (O. nerka) while defending his alpha male position next to a gravid female who is working on her redd in preparation to spawn.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Autumn Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Infraclass Teleostei NPCI 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 biosphere chordate in situ naturalworld nature near Cordova philopatry underwater underwaterphoto wild www.salmonography.com
Intruder!
Female Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) bites the caudal fin of a Chum Salmon (O. keta) that is intruding into the space around her redd (picture foreground).
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hartney Creek 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 biosphere chordate female aggresision in situ naturalworld nature near Cordova species interaction underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Intruder!
Signaling a desire to spawn with her, a male Chum Salmon (Oncorhyncus keta) quivers a female Pink Salmon (O. gorbuscha) who is probing her redd while her alpha male does the same on her other side.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hartney Creek 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 biosphere chordate in situ naturalworld nature near Cordova underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Female Pink Salmon attacking a male Chum Salmon
Female Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) attacking a male Chum Salmon (O. keta) who was interfering with her redd construction while her alpha male makes a threathening gape.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hartney Creek 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 biosphere chordate in situ interspecies naturalworld nature near Cordova underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Dolly Varden Charr predate a Sockeye Salmon redd as the female works to cover it with stream sediment
Dolly Varden Charr (Salvelinus malma lordi) predate a Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) redd as the female works to cover it with stream sediment.
25Mile Creek Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Copper River Delta Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form 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 Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy egg predation fish behavior fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous lotic migratory naturalworld nature ovivore ovivory stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild char wild charr wild salmon
Rainbow Trout searching for eggs to eat
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) searching for eggs to eat while a female Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) probes her redd after spawning in Montana Creek near Talkeetna, Alaska
Alaska PacificSalmon Probing SalmonBehavior Actinopterygii Alaska wild salmon Chinook Salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei King Salmon Montana Creek Neopterygii Oncorhynchus mykiss Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Pacific salmon Pacific trout Phylum Chordata Rainbow Trout Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Susitna River Tributary Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous lotic migratory naturalworld nature near Talkeetna photographed under water semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon wild trout
Rainbow Trout about to eat a loose egg as a female Chinook Salmon covers her redd
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) about to eat a loose egg as a female Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) covers her redd after spawning in Montana Creek near Talkeetna, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chinook Salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei King Salmon Montana Creek Neopterygii Oncorhynchus mykiss Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Pacific salmon Pacific trout Phylum Chordata Rainbow Trout Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Susitna River Tributary Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy egg predation fish behavior fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous lotic migratory naturalworld nature near Talkeetna ovivore ovivory photographed under water semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon wild trout
Rainbow Trout predating a Chinook Salmon redd
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) predating a Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) redd as the female probes her redd in Montana Creek near Talkeetna, Alaska.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chinook Salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei King Salmon Montana Creek Neopterygii Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Susitna River Tributary Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate anadromous anadromy biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous lotic migratory naturalworld nature near Talkeetna photographed under water semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon wild trout
Dolly Varden predating Sockeye Salmon eggs in a redd following spawning
Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) predating Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) eggs in a redd following spawning. The parental salmon are unable to stop them. Underwater view during summer in an Alaska stream.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form 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 Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate covering redd egg predation fish behavior in situ naturalworld nature ovivore ovivory spawning behavior underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Dolly Varden predating Sockeye Salmon eggs in a redd following spawning
Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) predating Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) eggs in a redd following spawning. The parental salmon are unable to stop them. Underwater view during summer in an Alaska stream.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form 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 Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate covering redd egg predation fish behavior in situ naturalworld nature ovivore ovivory spawning behavior underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
A female Pink Salmon defends her redd
A female Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) defends her redd from an encroaching Sockeye Salmon (O. nerka).
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon CRD Chordata Class Actinopterygii Copper River Delta 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 anadromous anadromy biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy female behavior fresh water freshwater guarding eggs in situ lotic migratory naturalworld nature redd defense semelparity semelparous spawning behavior stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
A female Pink Salmon defends her redd
A female Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) defends her redd from an encroaching Sockeye Salmon (O. nerka).
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon CRD Chordata Class Actinopterygii Copper River Delta 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 anadromous anadromy biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy female behavior fresh water freshwater guarding eggs in situ lotic migratory naturalworld nature redd defense semelparity semelparous spawning behavior stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
A female Chinook Salmon guards her redd.
A female Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) guards her redd.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chinook Salmon Chordata Chum Salmon Class Actinopterygii Dog Salmon Fish Infraclass Teleostei King Salmon Neopterygii Oncorhynchus keta Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression anadromous anadromy biosphere chordate covering redd diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater gaping in situ lotic migratory naturalworld nature photographed under water semelparity semelparous spawning behavior stream under fresh water underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Inter-species sex
A putative stray male Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) spawns with a female Sockeye Salmon (O. nerka). Viable hybrids are possible between Pacific salmon species.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Chum Salmon Class Actinopterygii Dog Salmon Fish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus keta 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 biosphere chordate covering redd diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ lotic migratory naturalworld nature photographed under water semelparity semelparous spawning behavior straying stream under fresh water underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Frame grab from topside video of a putative male Chum Salmon spawning with a female Sockeye Salmon
Frame grab from topside video of male Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) spawning with a female Sockeye Salmon (O. nerka) while two Sockeye Salmon males fight on the side opposite of the Seacam underwater housing used to shoot stills of same event.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Chum Salmon Class Actinopterygii Dog Salmon Fish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus keta 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 biosphere chordate covering redd in situ naturalworld nature photographed under water spawning behavior topside underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Double aggression
A sneaker male Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) attempting to spawn with this Sockeye Salmon (O. nerka) pair receives a lateral display aggression posture from the alpha male while the female bites his caudal peduncle.
Actinopterygii Alaska Chordata Class Actinopterygii 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 biosphere chordate in situ interspecies sex naturalworld nature underwater underwaterphoto wild
Dolly Varden feeding on Sockeye salmon eggs
Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) feeding on Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) eggs lost during spawning. Aspect Ratio = 4:5.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form 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 Summer Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate diadromous fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous lotic migratory naturalworld nature stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild char wild charr wild salmon wild trout
Courting Coho Salmon and a Sockeye Salmon jack
A Sockeye Salmon jack emerges from the fracas that often ensues during salmon courtship, in this case another species, Coho Salmon. Aspect Ratio = 1:2.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Autumn Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon 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 anadromy biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy excavating redd fresh water freshwater in situ jack jack salmon lotic migratory naturalworld nature precocial male precocious male semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Cuttbow?
A putative Coastal Cuttroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) - Steelhead Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hybrid, a.k.a. cuttbow. The occurence of cuttbows in the Copper River Delta where this photo was taken is supported by DNA evidence.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coastal Cutthroat Trout Copper River Delta Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus clarkii Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii Oncorhynchus mykiss Pacific trout Phylum Chordata Rainbow Trout Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Spring Steelhead Trout Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate cuttbow diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater hybrid in situ iteroparity iteroparous lotic migratory naturalworld nature putative hybrid searun straying stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild trout
Chumpy: A putative Chum and Pink salmon hybrid
A putative female Chum and Pink (Oncorhynchus keta and O. gorbuscha) salmon hybrid migrating upstream alongside mostly Pink Salmon. This Chumpy has spots, a color pattern, and teeth that are intermediate between the two parent species. Underwater view in an Alaskan stream during the summer.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii 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 anadromous anadromy biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater hybrid in situ lotic migratory naturalworld nature semelparity semelparous spawning migration stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Cutthroat Trout feeding on Pink Salmon eggs
Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) feeding on Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) eggs while the female is in the process of covering the redd. Aspect Ratio = 2:3.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coastal Cutthroat Trout Cordova Eccles Creek Humpback Salmon Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus clarkii Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pacific salmon Pacific trout 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 biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous lotic migratory naturalworld nature searun semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon wild trout
Female Pink Salmon defending her redd from a Chum Salmon
Female Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) defending her redd from an intruding Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta).
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii 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 anadromous anadromy biosphere chordate confrontation between species diadromous diadromy fighting fresh water freshwater in situ lotic migratory naturalworld nature semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Sockeye Salmon with Lamprey scar
Mature Sockeye Salmon (Oncohynchus nerka) female on spawning grounds with partially healed Lamprey scar.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii 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 anadromous anadromy biosphere chordate diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ lamprey scar lotic migratory naturalworld nature semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Coho Salmon jack attempting to spawn with a Dolly Varden.
A Coho Salmon jack attempting to spawn with a Dolly Varden female while the male observes. Aspect Ratio = 4:5.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Autumn Chordata Class Actinopterygii Coho Salmon Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Oncorhynchus kisutch Pacific salmon Phylum Chordata Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing Silver Salmon South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression biosphere chordate confrontation between species diadromous fresh water freshwater in situ iteroparity iteroparous jack jack salmon lotic migratory naturalworld nature precocial male precocious male stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild char wild charr wild salmon wild trout
Male Sockeye salmon quivering a female Dolly Varden
Male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) quivering a female Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) in a vain attempt to spawn. Aspect ratio = 2:3.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form 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 aggression anadromous anadromy biosphere chordate confrontation between species courtship diadromous diadromy fresh water freshwater in situ lotic migratory naturalworld nature semelparity semelparous spawning behavior stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Sockeye Salmon male intruding on Dolly Varden spawners
Courtship interupted: Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) male intruding on Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) spawners.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Char Dolly Varden Charr Dolly Varden Charr southern form Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Salmonidae Salmoniformes Salmoninae Salvelinus malma Salvelinus malma lordi Seacam underwater housing South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate aggression biosphere chordate confrontation between species courtship fighting in situ naturalworld spawning behavior underwater wild wild char wild charr wild salmon wild trout
Pink Salmon vs. Sockeye Salmon
A Pink Salmon female defends her territory by attacking a Sockeye Salmon female attempting to excavate a redd too close to hers.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii 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 biosphere chordate confrontation between species diadromous diadromy fighting fresh water freshwater in situ lotic migratory naturalworld nature semelparity semelparous stream under fresh water underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon
Putative Sockeye-Chum salmon hybrid
This salmon has external characteristics of Chum and Sockeye salmon suggesting it could be a hybrid between these species.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Chordata Class Actinopterygii 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 biosphere chordate hybrid in situ naturalworld nature straying underwater underwaterphoto wild wild salmon