Today, we shall relate the story of two salmon species, Atlantic and Pacific, and their different kingdoms.

These fish look to be similar, yet they vary in more ways than just their native habitat area. The variations between Atlantic and Pacific salmon are vast, spanning from lifespans to genus type.

Intrigued? Fantastic! Let’s explore the fascinating world of salmon!

Difference Between Pacific Salmon and Atlantic Salmon

The two salmon species are distinguished by their habitat and size. Pacific salmon is smaller and originates in the Pacific Ocean, while Atlantic salmon is larger and originates in the Atlantic Ocean.

Pacific and Atlantic salmon are both members of the Salmonidae family, which is the sole factor that connects both species. Their genus, for example, is completely different. The Pacific salmon is a member of the Oncorhynchus genus, whereas the Atlantic salmon is a member of the Salmo genus.

There are also seven other species of Pacific salmon. Five of them reside in North American waters: the Chum, Chinook, Sockeye, Coho, and Pink. Masu and Amago are the only two that can be found in Asian seas.

On the other hand, there is just one species of Atlantic salmon, and it is recognized as precisely that. Let’s keep investigating.

Pacific Salmon Has a Shorter Life Span Than Atlantic Salmon

The life cycle of Pacific salmon varies per species, spanning anywhere from 1 to 6 years and with a maximum longevity of up to 10 years. The Atlantic salmon life cycle lasts 5 to 8 years, with a maximum documented lifetime of 13 years.

Both species are born in freshwater and spend time there before moving to the ocean, where they reach full maturity.

Both Pacific and Atlantic salmon return to freshwater to reproduce after they reach maturity. These fish know precisely where they were born, so they return there instinctively.

To get home, they must swim up to 30 to 50 kilometers against the tide each day, encountering several obstacles such as predators. But once there, it’s time to spawn!

Most people assume that salmon die once they have finished reproducing. This is true exclusively for Pacific salmon species.

Pacific salmon use all of their energy in fresh water to reach their breeding location, deposit eggs, and dig a nest. Meanwhile, they quit eating. As a result, Pacific salmon lacks the energy to return to the ocean and perishes.

Atlantic salmon, on the other hand, are more hardy and may heal, enabling them to return to the sea and begin the cycle again the following season.

Atlantic Salmon Is Usually Farm-Raised, but Pacific Salmon Is Always Wild-Caught

Farm-raised salmon spend their whole lives in enclosed environments such as saltwater bays and estuaries. Wild-caught salmon, on the other hand, live in the open ocean and freshwaters.

As a consequence, many of the Atlantic salmon species available in shops and restaurants are farm-raised. Pacific salmon, on the other hand, is virtually always fished wild.

Pacific and Atlantic Salmon Grow Different Attributes When Dwelling in Freshwater

Both Atlantic and Pacific salmon have gorgeous silver-colored scales in the water, making them quite similar. However, as soon as they enter freshwater, they begin to acquire distinctive characteristics.

As they approach closer to their hatching place, Pacific and Atlantic salmon get darker, transforming to a brown, red, green, or even a blackish color. Males of the majority of salmon species develop humped backs, bigger teeth, and hooked lower jaws.

The Pacific Chinook has an emerald sheen and a dark gray back, but in freshwater, its body darkens and its belly and fins become scarlet. Adult spawning males have bigger teeth and hook-like snouts.

The Chum salmon, another Pacific species, is iridescent blue and silver with speckling on the back. Freshwater Chums feature dark horizontal stripes along their flanks that alternate between green, red, and gray. Males get sharp teeth as well.

The back of an Atlantic salmon in ocean waters, on the other hand, is silver with brown, green, or blue overtones. When an Atlantic salmon reaches fresh water, its color changes to a bright bronze with reddish spots around its head and body.

Pacific and Atlantic Salmon Have Different Sizes

Both salmon species come in a variety of sizes, from little to huge.

The Chinook salmon is the biggest fish in the Pacific. It is 58 inches long and weighs 126 pounds. The pink species is the smallest, measuring roughly 30 inches long and weighing 7 to 12 pounds.The largest Atlantic salmon ever caught was 60 inches long and weighed more than 105 pounds. Today’s Atlantic salmon are approximately 28 to 32 inches long and weigh 7 to 12 pounds.

The Taste and Texture Difference Is Minimal

The taste and texture of salmon from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans are almost identical.

Atlantic salmon is supposed to have firmer flesh and a much milder taste than Pacific salmon. Pacific salmon has smaller, more sensitive flakes, while Atlantic salmon has larger, chewier flakes.

Personal tastes will determine if there are differences in flavor or quality. However, since the taste difference is so subtle, it will be difficult to distinguish between them, particularly when served raw in dishes like sushi, sashimi, or nigiri.

Pacific and Atlantic Salmon Filets Have Different Colors

Depending on the fat ratio, the salmon flesh may be lighter or darker. The meat of Pacific salmon is thin and a deeper red hue. Atlantic salmon, on the other hand, is a fatty filet, therefore the flesh has a lighter red hue.

Pacific Salmon vs Atlantic Salmon Comparison Table

Nutritional Content Breakdown: Which One Is Healthier?

As seen in the table below, the nutritional profiles of Pacific and Atlantic salmon are almost identical.

If we’re being picky, Atlantic salmon contains less calories than Pacific salmon, which has less fat and more protein.

When it comes to nutrients and minerals, Pacific salmon has a substantially greater calcium content. Pacific salmon also has greater quantities of vitamin B12, magnesium, and phosphorus.

However, Atlantic salmon outperforms Pacific salmon in terms of potassium, iron, Omega-3, vitamins B5 and B6, zinc, thiamine, riboflavin, and folate.

Choosing wild salmon versus farm-raised salmon is always the healthier option. Because wild salmon have a more organic diet, there is less likelihood of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in the flesh.

Both have almost the same amount of protein; a serving of farmed salmon has roughly the same amount of protein as a serving of wild salmon, but wild salmon contains more vitamins and minerals and contains less calories per serving!

Pacific Salmon vs Atlantic Salmon: Nutritional Profile

Can I Substitute Pacific Salmon for Atlantic Salmon and Vice Versa?

Yes, you may substitute Atlantic salmon for Pacific salmon when Pacific salmon is unavailable at your local grocery store. In fact, unless you are a gourmet and salmon expert, you won’t be able to tell the difference since they taste and feel so identical!

Conclusion

That concludes the tale of the two salmon. You should now be able to tell them difference at the grocery shop and make a better informed choice when purchasing one or the other.

Remember that Pacific salmon has a brighter red filet than Atlantic salmon, which has a deeper red filet. Furthermore, Pacific salmon has a richer taste and a softer texture, making it an excellent fish to pair with Basmati or Jasmine rice and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Atlantic salmon has a milder taste and chewy texture, making it suitable for dipping in hoisin or oyster sauce. Enjoy! People also enjoy How Do Baking Powder and Cream of Tartar Compare?