The salmon's life cycle consists of several stages that take place in both freshwater and saltwater environments. Here’s a simplified overview of the process:
-
Egg Stage: Salmon begin their life as eggs that are laid in freshwater streams or rivers. The female salmon digs a nest in the gravel (called a "redd") and deposits her eggs there. Males fertilize the eggs.
-
Fry Stage: After a few weeks, the eggs hatch into small fish called fry. They are very vulnerable at this stage and rely on their yolk sacs for nutrition for a short time.
-
Fingerling Stage: Once the yolk sac is fully absorbed, the fry grow into fingerlings. At this stage, they begin to eat tiny organisms in the water and start to develop more distinct features.
-
Smolt Stage: As fingerlings grow, they undergo changes to prepare for life in saltwater. This transformation is called smoltification, where they develop a silvery color and adjust their bodies to handle saltwater. Then, they migrate downstream to the ocean.
-
Adult Stage: After entering the ocean, salmon spend several years growing into adults. They roam vast distances and can travel far from their birthplaces.
-
Spawning Stage: When they reach maturity (usually after 2 to 7 years), they return to the freshwater streams where they were born to spawn. This journey often involves swimming against strong currents.
-
Death: After spawning, most salmon die. Their bodies provide nutrients to the ecosystem, supporting the next generation of salmon and other wildlife.
This cycle repeats, with the next generation starting as eggs in the same streams where their parents were born!