What Do Sockeye Salmon Eat?

Sockeye salmon reside in the Pacific Ocean, from the northern Canadian waters to the eastern coasts of Japan and the western coasts of North and Central America. It is also found in inland waters of the western and central United States. The sockeye fish takes it feed from its native habitat. This salmon breed was called "Sukkegh" by the Salish Native Americans residing in British Columbia, Oregon and Washington. Sukkegh means "red fish," and the name "sockeye" is derived from this Native American term.

  1. Identification

    • Sockeye salmons are considered omnivores. They feed mainly on zooplankton and shrimp, as well as seaweed.

    Features

    • Sockeye salmon is a smaller Pacific salmon, weighing up to 15 pounds and measuring about 2 to 2 3/4 feet long in adulthood.

    Function

    • Sockeye salmon have relatively short life spans. Their lives start in freshwater, and they live in a lake for three years, before journeying to the ocean, where they may live for another four years. They then swim upriver to breed, and then they die a few weeks later.

    Significance

    • Sockeyes gain their reddish skin and meat color from the zooplankton they consume, mainly the orange-colored krill. Their heads turn green and their body color changes to red from their original silver-blue tone during their journey upriver.

    Considerations

    • The males become more distinct from the females by the development of a hump on its back during the sockeye breeding period.