Fresh or Saltwater?

[mamab]

I'm really confused about Salmon. Are they freshwater or saltwater fish? I know they're born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean (which, of course is saltwater) and then migrate back to fresh. What kind of fish would you classify them as? Are there any other fish that migrate between the two?

[FourBear]

That's a really good question! It has me stumped, too. Do they only go to freshwater areas to spawn?

[miavassallo]

That is a great question! I am a newbie to fishing, and I've never been salmon fishing... so I know nothing about it!

[FourBear]

I couldn't wait for someone to find the answer, so I went and looked it up myself. :) I searched salmon on Wikipedia, and found this quote:

"Typically, salmon are anadromous: they are born in fresh water, migrate to the ocean, then return to fresh water to reproduce."

So...they are both, I think.

[chipinoh]

Wow, anadromous - that's my new word for the day! Thanks for the info.

I've never had the opportunity to fish for salmon, maybe someday...

[cassiem0221]

I didn't even know this was possible! Its amazing how they could do that. I know that some fish will actually die if you take them from their normal environment.. That' s amazing that they salmon can do this...

[seandalton42]

Salt water is made during the movement of water on land over time. The components of rocks are eroded and become part of a "salty" solution. Remind students that the word "salt" refers not just to table salt, but to many chemicals that are classified as salts.
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seandalton
Wyoming Alcohol Addiction Treatment (http://www.alcoholaddiction.org/wyoming)