The Peaceful Salmon

By Marcus

Description

• The salmon uses its gills for breathing as most fish do. Salmon use the dorsal fin, anal fin and the pelvic fin for balance. The Atlantic salmon can live up to 13 years. Salmon are very attractive. Salmon are pink on top. The Chinook and King salmon weigh 100 pounds.

Habitat

• Salmon start and end their life in freshwater streams. Salmon are found In North America, Europe and Asia. Salmon live in lakes, oceans and rivers. When salmon grow up, they live in salt water.

Food

• Salmon eat shrimps and anchovies. The young salmon eat water fleas. Salmon eat plankton. Salmon also eat smaller fish, eels, grass near the shore, squid and insects. Baby salmon eat the yolk from inside the egg.

Babies

The female salmon covers her eggs with gravel. Salmon are born in freshwater. The female salmon digs holes with her tail. The baby alevin hatch in 3 to 4 months.

Protection and Enemies

Bears often wait to catch salmons as they migrate. Salmon is a popular food for many kingfishers and birds. Many otters eat salmon. Bears eat salmon.

Interesting Facts

• Salmons travel hundreds of miles. Salmons migrate back to the rivers where they were born. Some steelhead and Atlantic salmon do not die after spawning. The scales of a salmon are coated with a layer of mucus.