Chum Salmon - 10 Interesting Facts

Chum salmon , also known as chinook or dog salmon, is one of the most common Pacific salmon species. Here are 10 fascinating facts about this amazing fish:

• Chum salmon are also known by several other names, including chinook salmon and dog salmon.
• The nickname "dog salmon" comes from two possible sources: drivers traditionally fed it to their sled dogs, and malesChum salmon develop large, fang-like teeth when they return to fresh water to spawn.
• Chum salmon are one of the larger species of Pacific salmon, often weighing between 6 and 20 pounds and growing up to 2 feet in length, second in size only to Chinook salmon.
• They are known for their remarkable homing instinct, returning to the exact spot of their birth, often hundreds or thousands of miles away, to spawn after several years at sea.
• During spawning, male chum salmon undergo dramatic physical changes: they develop a hooked snout (kaip) with fangs, and their skin takes on vibrant red-green or tiger-colored patterns.
• Chum salmon are the most widely distributed of all Pacific salmon species, found throughout the North Pacific Ocean, from the Arctic coast of Canada to San Diego and through Asia.
• They are anadromous, meaning they hatch in fresh water, migrate to the ocean to feed and grow, and then return to fresh water to spawn.
• Chum salmon are highly prized for their caviar, which is used to make "ikura" for sushi due to their large, juicy eggs.
• Despite the lighter color of the meat and its softer texture,taste compared to some other types of salmon,Chum salmon has a dense texture, is rich in lean protein and contains significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Chum salmon typically spend 3-4 years in the ocean before returning to freshwater to spawn, and like all Pacific salmon, they die about two weeks after spawning.