A Pacific salmon known for spawning runs in many small coastal streams of southeast Alaska. Spawning males develop fearsome canine teeth — earning them the nickname "dog salmon" — and tiger-striped sides.

Also called: Dog Salmon, Keta Salmon, Silverbrite

Native status: Native to North Pacific

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 50–100 cm typical; record 109 cm
Weight2.5–11 kg typical; record 19.1 kg
LifespanWild 3–7 years
OrderSalmoniformes
FamilySalmonidae

§ Encyclopedia

The chum salmon, also known as dog salmon or keta salmon, is a species of anadromous salmonid fish from the genus Oncorhynchus native to the coastal rivers of the North Pacific and the Beringian Arctic. The English name "chum salmon" comes from the Chinook Jargon term tsəm, meaning "spotted" or "marked"; while keta in the scientific name comes from Russian, which in turn comes from the Evenki language of Eastern Siberia.

Source: Wikipedia — Chum salmon Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Robust silvery salmon at sea; spawning males develop dramatic vertical "tiger stripes" of purple-green-red, sharp canine teeth (the source of "Dog Salmon" name), and hooked jaws.

Similar species. Other Pacific salmon species (color pattern, fin counts, gum-line color differ). Chinook (black gum line). Coho (white gum line). Sockeye (smaller, different shape).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. At sea: copepods, krill, small fish, squid. In freshwater spawning migration: does not feed.

Behavior. Second-largest Pacific salmon by weight. Has the most extensive North American range of any Pacific salmon — from California north to Alaska, then west across the entire Russian Pacific coast. Among the most commercially valuable salmon for caviar (eggs are particularly large). Spawns in fall in lower-elevation streams; juveniles migrate to sea soon after hatching (unlike Chinook/Coho, which rear in freshwater for a year or more). Major aboriginal subsistence food across the Pacific Rim.

§ Range

Pacific coast, especially Alaska

§ Habitat

Anadromous: rivers to spawn, ocean as adults

§ Threats

Climate-driven ocean changes, mining pollution, dam impacts.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the chum salmon is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Buy MSC-certified wild Alaskan salmon. Support clean fishery management. Oppose Bristol Bay mining.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Fisheries
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • Wild Salmon Center
  • IUCN Red List 2018