Atlantic Salmon vs Red Drum
Salmo salar compared with Sciaenops ocellatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Salmo salar | Sciaenops ocellatus |
| Order | Salmoniformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Salmonidae | Sciaenidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 150.0 cm | 155.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 46.8 kg | 45.0 kg |
| Color | Silvery flanks with a blue-green back; sea-run fish are nearly spotless with a few scattered X-shaped dark spots above the lateral line and pinkish-red tones at spawning. | Coppery-bronze to reddish-orange flanks with a characteristic black eyespot at the upper tail base; back is darker bronze-olive; belly pale to silvery; fins match body tone with dusky margins. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 0-210m | 10-?m |
| Geographic Range | North Atlantic Ocean from northeastern North America to western Europe, including rivers of Canada, Norway, Iceland, and the British Isles. Anadromous populations spawn in cold, … | Western North Atlantic from Massachusetts south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Adults favor open nearshore reefs and coastal surf zones while juveniles inhabit … |
| Habitat | Neritic | Estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Atlantic Salmon
Rich, buttery flesh with high omega-3 fat content and a distinctly full flavor. Versatile in the kitchen — superb grilled, poached, smoked, or served raw as sashimi.
Red Drum
Firm, white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and moderate fat; smaller fish (under 27 inches) are the best table size. Famous as 'blackened redfish' — a Louisiana Cajun culinary classic.
Species Overview
Atlantic Salmon
The Atlantic salmon is an anadromous species that migrates from the ocean to freshwater rivers to spawn. Renowned among fly fishers, it is also one of the most important farmed fish species globally.
Red Drum
The red drum, or redfish, is an iconic inshore game fish of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Identified by the distinctive black spot at the base of its tail, it feeds by tipping head-down in shallow water, exposing its copper-colored tail.