Species interactions on the spawning grounds
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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalAutumnBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoho SalmonEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNPCINeopterygiiOncorhynchus kisutchPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPower CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSea Sea internal correction lensSeacam underwater housingSilver SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatein situlivingnaturalworldnaturenear Cordovaorganismphilopatryunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwww.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).
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyHartney CreekHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipfemale aggresisionfemale behaviorin situlivingnaturalworldnaturenear Cordovaorganismspecies interactionunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyHartney CreekHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatein situlivingnaturalworldnaturenear Cordovaorganismunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
2. Attacking an intruder
Depicted here is the second image in a chronological series of underwater images illustrating details of the spawning activities of a single individual female pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). At 14:30:09 our female pink salmon attacks a male chum salmon (O. keta; also a an important species) who was attempting to court her while her alpha male makes a threatening gape. Location is Hartney Creek near Cordova, Alaska, USA.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyHartney CreekHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateWPY2022biologicalbiospherechordatein situinterspecieslivingnaturalworldnaturenear Cordovaorganismunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild 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 CreekActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiCopper River DeltaDolly VardenDolly Varden CharDolly Varden CharrDolly Varden Charr southern formEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatediadromousdiadromyegg predationfish behaviorfresh waterfreshwaterin situiteroparityiteroparouslivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismovivoreovivorystreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild charwild charrwild 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
AlaskaPacificSalmonProbingSalmonBehaviorActinopterygiiAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChinook SalmonChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiKing SalmonMontana CreekNeopterygiiOncorhynchus mykissOncorhynchus tshawytschaPacific salmonPacific troutPhylum ChordataRainbow TroutSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSusitna River TributaryTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatediadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwaterin situiteroparityiteroparouslivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnaturenear Talkeetnaorganismphotographed under watersemelparitysemelparousstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmonwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChinook SalmonChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiKing SalmonMontana CreekNeopterygiiOncorhynchus mykissOncorhynchus tshawytschaPacific salmonPacific troutPhylum ChordataRainbow TroutSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerSusitna River TributaryTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatediadromousdiadromyegg predationfish behaviorfresh waterfreshwaterin situiteroparityiteroparouslivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnaturenear Talkeetnaorganismovivoreovivoryphotographed under watersemelparitysemelparousstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmonwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChinook SalmonChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiKing SalmonMontana CreekNeopterygiiOncorhynchus tshawytschaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerSusitna River TributaryTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatediadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwaterin situiteroparityiteroparouslivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnaturenear Talkeetnaorganismphotographed under watersemelparitysemelparousstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmonwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiDolly VardenDolly Varden CharDolly Varden CharrDolly Varden Charr southern formEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipcovering reddegg predationfish behaviorin situlivingnaturalworldnatureorganismovivoreovivoryspawning behaviorunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiDolly VardenDolly Varden CharDolly Varden CharrDolly Varden Charr southern formEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipcovering reddegg predationfish behaviorin situlivingnaturalworldnatureorganismovivoreovivoryspawning behaviorunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
A female Pink Salmon defends her redd
A female Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) defends her redd from an encroaching Sockeye Salmon (O. nerka).
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyCRDChordataClass ActinopterygiiCopper River DeltaEcologyHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipdiadromousdiadromyfemale behaviorfresh waterfreshwaterguarding eggsin situlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismredd defensesemelparitysemelparousspawning behaviorstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
A female Pink Salmon defends her redd
A female Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) defends her redd from an encroaching Sockeye Salmon (O. nerka).
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyCRDChordataClass ActinopterygiiCopper River DeltaEcologyHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipdiadromousdiadromyfemale behaviorfresh waterfreshwaterguarding eggsin situlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismredd defensesemelparitysemelparousspawning behaviorstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
A female Chinook Salmon guards her redd.
A female Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) guards her redd.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChinook SalmonChordataChum SalmonClass ActinopterygiiDog SalmonEcologyFishInfraclass TeleosteiKing SalmonNeopterygiiOncorhynchus ketaOncorhynchus tshawytschaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateaggressionanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipcovering redddiadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwatergapingin situlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismphotographed under watersemelparitysemelparousspawning behaviorstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotowildwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataChum SalmonClass ActinopterygiiDog SalmonEcologyFishInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus ketaOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipcovering redddiadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwaterin situlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismphotographed under watersemelparitysemelparousspawning behaviorstrayingstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotowildwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataChum SalmonClass ActinopterygiiDog SalmonEcologyFishInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus ketaOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipcovering reddin situlivingnaturalworldnatureorganismphotographed under waterspawning behaviortopsideunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
Heads or tails?
Mature male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) swimis into a near ocean-bright immature Coho Salmon (O. kisutch) while looking for a mate in early autumn in an Alaskan stream.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalAutumnBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoho SalmonEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus kisutchOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSilver SalmonSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateWPY2022anadromousanadromous fishanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipdiadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwaterin situlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismrun timingsemelparitysemelparousstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterwildwild salmon
Early and late salmon arriving at spawning grounds
Nearing the end of their summer spawning period, mature Sockeye and Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka and O. gorbuscha) school near their spawning grounds in early autumn coinciding with the arrival of numerous of Coho Salmon (O. kisutch) that commence spawning at the start of autumn.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalAutumnBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoho SalmonEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus kisutchOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSilver SalmonSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromous fishanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipdiadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwaterin situlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnaturenuptial colorationocean brightorganismrun timingsemelparitysemelparousstagingstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatein situinterspecies sexlivingnaturalworldnatureorganismunderwaterunderwaterphotowild
Dolly Varden feeding on a salmon egg
A southern form Dolly Varden Charr (Salvelinus malma lordi) about to consume a loose Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) egg resulting from a sloppy spawning.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiDolly VardenDolly Varden CharDolly Varden CharrDolly Varden Charr southern formEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiisummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatediadromousegg scavengingfresh waterfreshwaterin situiteroparityiteroparouslivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismscavengerscavengingsloppy spawningstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild charwild charrwild salmonwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalAutumnBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoho SalmonEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus kisutchPacific salmonPhylum ChordataSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSilver SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatediadromousdiadromyexcavating reddfresh waterfreshwaterin situjackjack salmonlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismprecocial maleprecocious malesemelparitysemelparousstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoastal Cutthroat TroutCopper River DeltaEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus clarkiiOncorhynchus clarkii clarkiiOncorhynchus mykissPacific troutPhylum ChordataRainbow TroutSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSpringSteelhead TroutSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatecuttbowdiadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwaterhybridin situiteroparityiteroparouslivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismputative hybridsearunstrayingstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatecourtshipdiadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwaterhybridin situlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismsemelparitysemelparousspawning migrationstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoastal Cutthroat TroutCordovaEccles CreekEcologyHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus clarkiiOncorhynchus clarkii clarkiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaPacific salmonPacific troutPhylum ChordataPink SalmonPrince William SoundSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatediadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwaterin situiteroparityiteroparouslivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismsearunsemelparitysemelparousstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmonwild 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).
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateaggressionanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordateconfrontation between speciesdiadromousdiadromyfightingfresh waterfreshwaterin situlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismsemelparitysemelparousstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
Sockeye Salmon with Lamprey scar
Mature Sockeye Salmon (Oncohynchus nerka) female on spawning grounds with partially healed Lamprey scar.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordatediadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwaterin situlamprey scarlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismsemelparitysemelparousstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalAutumnBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoho SalmonDolly VardenDolly Varden CharDolly Varden CharrDolly Varden Charr southern formEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus kisutchPacific salmonPhylum ChordataSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSilver SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateaggressionbiologicalbiospherechordateconfrontation between speciesdiadromousfresh waterfreshwaterin situiteroparityiteroparousjackjack salmonlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismprecocial maleprecocious malestreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild charwild charrwild salmonwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiDolly VardenDolly Varden CharDolly Varden CharrDolly Varden Charr southern formEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateaggressionanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordateconfrontation between speciescourtshipdiadromousdiadromyfresh waterfreshwaterin situlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismsemelparitysemelparousspawning behaviorstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
Sockeye Salmon male intruding on Dolly Varden spawners
Courtship interupted: Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) male intruding on Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) spawners.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiDolly VardenDolly Varden CharDolly Varden CharrDolly Varden Charr southern formEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiPhylum ChordataReproductive behaviorSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateaggressionbiologicalbiospherechordateconfrontation between speciescourtshipfightingin situlivingnaturalworldorganismspawning behaviorunderwaterwildwild charwild charrwild salmonwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateaggressionanadromousanadromybiologicalbiospherechordateconfrontation between speciesdiadromousdiadromyfightingfresh waterfreshwaterin situlivingloticmigratorynaturalworldnatureorganismsemelparitysemelparousstreamunder fresh waterunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild 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.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaAlaska wild salmonAnimalBiologyChordataClass ActinopterygiiEcologyInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebiologicalbiospherechordatehybridin situlivingnaturalworldnatureorganismstrayingunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon