The diagram outlines the life cycle of a salmon, highlighting its development from eggs to adulthood across three main stages: the upper river, the lower river, and the open sea.
Initially, salmon lay their eggs in the upper river, where the water is slow-moving. This stage lasts about 5 to 6 months, with the eggs hatching into fry that measure between 3 and 8 centimeters. The fry then migrate to the lower river.
In the second stage, the young salmon spend around 4 years in the fast-flowing waters of the lower river, growing into smolt that are about 12 to 15 centimeters in length. After this period, they journey to the open sea.
In the final stage, the salmon live in the open sea for approximately 5 years, growing to an adult size of 70 to 76 centimeters. Once they mature, they return to the upper river to lay eggs, completing the cycle.
In summary, salmon go through a complex life cycle involving growth and migration across various aquatic environments.
