The pictures demonstrate how a salmon develops during its lifespan.
Overall, looking at the process we can see that the complete life cycle lasts approximately 10 years with 3 main stages(from eggs to native adult salmon), happening in 3 different living environments.
The life cycle of the salmon begins when salmon eggs are laid among small stones at the base of reeds in the upper part of the river, where the current is slow. After approximately 5-6 months, the egg hatch and the fry(which measure 3-8 cm long can be seen in water) appear. Following this, the smolt moved to the lower river, attracted by the fast-flowing waters, where they grew significantly in size, reaching up to 12-15 cm in length over a period of about 4 years.This transitional phase sets the foundation for their development before they progress to the next stage of their life cycle.
Subsequently, the matured salmon embark on their migration to the open sea, a critical phase where they spend the most of time approximately 5 years. During this period, they adapt to the vast expanse of the sea environment, honing their instincts and physical capabilities. This stage of the cycle is essential for the salmon’s overall development because after that it reaches full maturity and becomes adult salmon 70-76 centimeters long. After they grow into adult salmon, they return to the upper river to lay eggs.At this phase, the cycle begins all over again.