Coho salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Also known asSilvers · Hooknose
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 2000 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 45% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.20% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.70% of body weight
- Max density
- 40 g per litre
A 4500 g adult eats about 54.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~540 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| us-general | check local regulations | Pacific salmon stocking is regulated by individual states; most require permits for non-native introductions verified 2026-05-14 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to Pacific coast rivers and streams from central California north through Alaska and across to Japan and eastern Russia. The species (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is an anadromous Pacific salmon that rears in freshwater streams for 1-2 years as juveniles before migrating to the ocean, returning to spawn after 1-3 years at sea. Also called silver salmon for the bright metallic sheen of ocean-phase fish. Coho are medium-sized among Pacific salmon: adults typically weigh 3–6 kg. The flesh is orange-red, moderately fatty, firm, and well-flavored, considered second only to chinook in quality among Pacific salmon. Wild coho populations have declined significantly in many river systems; several runs in the Pacific Northwest are ESA-listed as threatened or endangered. Coho aquaculture is a significant industry in Chile (the world's second-largest salmon producer) and Japan, producing several hundred thousand tonnes annually from marine net-pen operations.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- cold-water (cool water required, dies in heat)
- USDA zones
- 3–7 (winter low around -40°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- yes, if summer water exceeds upper tolerance
Care notes
A cold-water species with limited applicability to freshwater aquaponics, included for reference and completeness. Coho salmon require cold water (8–14°C) and high dissolved oxygen (above 7 mg/L). The juvenile freshwater phase (parr to smolt) takes 12-18 months, producing a fish of 10–30 g before the animal naturally wants to migrate to saltwater. Growing coho to market size (2–4 kg) entirely in freshwater is done in some Chilean and Japanese recirculating operations but requires sophisticated system management. FCR in culture is 1.2-1.5 on salmon pellet (40-48% protein). Stocking density in RAS: 30-50 g/L with supplemental oxygenation. For practical freshwater aquaponics, rainbow trout or arctic char are better choices because they grow well in fresh water for their entire life cycle without the physiological stress of suppressing a species programmed to migrate to the ocean. Coho fingerlings are available from some Pacific Northwest hatcheries, but conservation regulations restrict their sale in many areas. Legal status depends on stock origin (wild-derived vs. domesticated) and varies by state and province. Disease concerns include bacterial kidney disease, vibriosis, and IHN virus, all common in salmon culture. Not recommended for home aquaponics.