Appearance:The body of the Chinook, like the rest
of the Chordates, is bilaterally symmetrical and highly cephalized(shows a
distinct head region). The Chinook salmon exhibits a black dorsal (top) region,
silver sides, and a white ventral (bottom) region. Black spots are
scattered along the entire upper portions of the fish like freckles. The head is
generally darker in shade with a white lower jaw. The
mouth of the fish is relatively large for engulfing larger prey (see
Nutrition).
The Chinook salmon displays two
dorsal fins. The anterior (closest to the head) dorsal fin is much larger
and matches the colors of the dorsal surface while also displaying black spots.
The posterior dorsal fin is much
smaller and dark in color, similar to the
dorsal surface of the fish.
Five ventral
fins can be noted on the ventral portion of the fish. These, unlike the
dorsal fins, tend to be lighter in color with relatively dark tips.
Finally the
fish flaunts a large symmetrical tail fin. The fin is darker in color and
carries the same spots as seen on the dorsal portion of the rest of the body.
