Home >> Science & Nature >> Animals & Science

Sockeye Vs. Pink Salmon

The sockeye and the pink salmon may seem to be the same type of fish but they are vastly different. Both species live in the ocean and move into fresh water to spawn, and both have the pinkish-red flesh, but their similarities end there.

Scientific names
- Both the sockeye and the pink salmon come from the genus Oncorhynchus. The sockeye's species name is nerka; the pink's is gorbuscha.
Common names
- Pink salmon are named for their pink flesh
  
  Because of its coloring, the sockeye is sometimes called a red salmon. "Sockeye" is a translation of a Coast Salish word meaning "red fish." Pink salmon are called such because of their pink flesh. Shortly before spawning, pink salmon males acquire a hump on their backs, which gives them their other common name, "humpy."
Appearance
- The sockeye's flesh is a more vibrant color than the pink's
  
  Sockeyes are larger than pink salmon, growing to about 24 to 33 inches and generally weighing 5 to 15 pounds. They have a red body and a green head. Pink salmon only reach 20 to 25 inches and weigh 3.5 to 4 pounds. Their backs are greenish-blue and their sides are silver. They also have black spots on their backs and tails.
Fishing
- Many commercial fishermen gather in Alaskan waters once a year to catch sockeyes
  
  Sockeyes are more commonly canned than the pink salmon because of their more appealing reddish-orange flesh color. Conversely, pink salmon are more commonly caught by sport fishermen.

Animals & Science