By Kayla Arseneault

Atlantic Salmon

TaxonomyKingdom: Animalia

Phylum: ChrodataClass: Osteichthyes or Actinopterygii

Order: SalmoniformesFamily: Salmonidae

Genus: SalmoSpecies: Salmo Salar

Of the Atlantic Salmon

Characteristics• Colour• Size (large vs small)• Difference between males and females

(females are bigger)

Habitat

Circulation• Blood circulation ?

Respiration• breathing

Reproduction• Go back to fresh water to spawn.

Nutrition• Food & Feeding habits

Movement

Predators

Marine Mammals such as sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, seals and otters are predators of salmon. Other predators include other, larger fish and birds.

Special Adaptations

OF THE ATLANTIC SALMON

o Atlantic Salmon have a very sleek design, which allows them to swim fast away from predators and allows them to be predators themselves.o Their fins allow them to stay balanced, steer easily through the different currents and can help keep them on a straight path.o They use their back fin as a propeller.

oSalmon have a Swim Bladder, which gives them a natural buoyancy in water.oSalmon have what is called a “Lateral Line” which allows them to detect the movements of other fish, help find their way upstream when travelling, plus it assists them by locating the upwelling currents that will give them a boost when it is jumping. oTheir vision is spectacular. They have polarized vision. Polarization is the “phenomenon in which waves of light or other radiation are restricted in direction of vibration”, an example being the sunlight on water. Salmon are also able to see considerably far distances in clear water.

Interesting Facts1. There is an Atlantic Salmon at the Top of the New Brunswick Coat of Arms.

2. The highest jump ever recorded

for a Salmon was 3.7 meters high !

Fly Fishing

Club