6. 2 pectoral fins
near the head
2 pelvic fins on
the belly
1 anal fin behind
the belly
1 dorsal fin on the
centre of the back
(Plus 1 small, fatty
adipose fin)
And a
tail
8. Now we have learned
about the anatomy of the
salmon...how do these
enable the salmon to
survive?
9. gills The salmon takes water into its mouth and
pushes it out through the gills. The blood
vessels in the gills extract oxygen dissolved in
the water as it is pushed out through the gills.
Allowing the salmon to breathe
nostrils
The salmon uses its nostrils to smell scents in
the water, to sense danger and also recognise
the familiar sent of their home stream.
Allowing the salmon to smell and
helps with safety and navigation
10. Scales and skin cover the salmon. Scales
are small, hard plates which over-lap and
protect the salmon from predators and
bruising.
The lateral line is a line of
cells along each side of the
salmon which is extremely
sensitive to pressure and
allow the salmon to sense
movements and objects in
the water.
Scales begin to grow when salmon are
very young and show annual growth
rings, like trees. If scales fall off, salmon
are able to grow new scales.
11. The 6 bony fins on the salmon aid
with the salmon’s balance and
steering.
The tail fin also helps the salmon
push through the water. Female
salmon use the tail fin to dig the
redd in which they lay their eggs.
Did You Know...
The small, fatty adipose fin is cut
off by the salmon farmers at the
River Bush fisheries in Bushmills
in order to identify their fish
from other Atlantic salmon.
13. What is on the
menu for the
salmon
tonight?
Menu
Plankton
Insects
& other
invertebrates
Eels
Shrimp
& other
Small
fish
14. Well done!
You have now learned
about the anatomy of
the salmon and how it
is suited to its
environment. .
Why not take the
anatomy quiz to
test your
knowledge?
