(Bergen Aquarium / 12.27.2004)

Phylum: Chordata

Superclass: Gnathostomata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Salmoniformes

Family: Salmonidae

Scientific name: Salmo salar

 

Norwegian: laks

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Distribution: In Norway there are 400-500 populations, spawning in different rivers along the coast. A few populations live solely in fresh water. Normally they live in fresh water for their two first years, before migrating to the sea.

Characteristics: The upper jaw reach as far back as the eye, in contrast to the trout, where the jaw passes the eye. The dark spots on both sides of the body are not circular, like the spots on the trout. It can reach a length of 40 kg and a length of 1,5 meters. Atlantic salmon is distinguished from the Pacific salmon because they have fewer than 13 rays in the anal fin.

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