Morphology Data of Salmo salar
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Keith, P. and J. Allardi (coords.), 2001
Appearance refers to Male; Female
Bones in OsteoBase Skull, Spine

Sex attributes

Specialized organs different shape of head (f,m)
Different appearance different morphology during breeding season only
Different colors different colors during breeding season only
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section oval
Dorsal head profile more or less straight
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth terminal
Type of scales cycloid scales
Diagnosis

Distinguished from congeners by having the following unique characters: 10-13 scales between end of adipose base and lateral line; 17-24 gill rakers (Ref. 59043); caudal fin deeply forked in individuals smaller than 20 cm SL; hyaline or grey adipose margin; posterior part of vomer toothless (Ref. 59043). Mouth extends only to area below rear of eye and has well developed teeth (Ref. 51442). Vomerine teeth weak (Ref. 7251). Caudal fin with 19 rays (Ref. 2196). Little scales (Ref. 51442). Juveniles have 8-12 blue-violet spots on the flanks with little red spots in-between (Ref. 51442). Adults at sea are bluish-green dorsally becoming silvery along the sides and white ventrally; with a few black spots but none under lateral line (Ref. 37032, Ref. 51442). Caudal fin usually unspotted and adipose fin not black bordered. During reproduction individuals lose the silvery shine and become dull brown or yellowish. Males may be mottled with red or have large black patches (Refs. 37032, 51442, 88171). Skin becomes thick and leathery. Survivors lose their spawning coloration and are generally dark in colour (Ref. 84357). During the spawning season, males are characterized by elongated hooked jaws that meet at the tips, thicker fins, and slime covering their body. Hook of males dwindle after spawning (Ref. 35388).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Salmo salar

Lateral Lines 1 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 109 - 131
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line 22 - 26
Scale rows below lateral line 18 - 23
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) absent
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total 20 - 22
Vertebrae
preanal
total 58 - 61

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0 - 0
Ventral  0 - 0
Spines total 3 - 4
Soft-rays total 9 - 15
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 4
Soft-rays total 7 - 11

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     1
Soft-rays   11 - 16
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  behind origin of D1
Spines     2
Soft-rays   8 - 10
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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