Sockeye have numerous long gill rakers and prominent, glassy eyes. The slimmest and most streamlined of the Pacific species, the silver-blue sockeye lives from four to five years. It usually weighs between 2.2 kg and 3.1 kg but can reach 6.3 kg.
The lips of sockeye are fleshy; the teeth are small and well-developed in both jaws. There are no teeth on the base of the tongue. The sockeye’s tail is moderately forked and does not show any black spots. Sockeye are sometimes confused with chum because they both lack spots on the tail and have a similar colouring.

Did you know… Some juvenile sockeye salmon do not migrate out to sea, but remain landlocked in freshwater. These fish are known as “kokanees”.