Chinook Salmon vs Summer Flounder
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha compared with Paralichthys dentatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Chinook Salmon | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Order | Salmoniformes | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family | Salmonidae | Paralichthyidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Chinook Salmon | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 150.0 cm | 94.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 61.4 kg | 12.0 kg |
| Color | Ocean phase is deep blue-green back with silvery flanks and white belly; irregular black spots on the back, dorsal fin, and both lobes of the tail; spawning adults turn dark red to olive-brown. | Eyed side is brownish to gray-green with a mottled pattern of pale blotches; 12–14 distinct pale-edged dark ocelli (eyespots) scattered across the body; blind side is plain white; color changes with substrate. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Chinook Salmon | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 0-375m | 10-183m |
| Geographic Range | Pacific Rim from California and Oregon north through Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the Kamchatka Peninsula, Japan, and Korea. Anadromous runs use major river … | Western North Atlantic from Nova Scotia south to Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Undertakes seasonal offshore migration to deeper Continental Shelf waters in … |
| Habitat | Anadromous; spawns in cold, clear rivers of the Pacific Coast (Alaska to California). Adults spend 1-5 years in the Pacific Ocean before returning to natal … | Neritic, demersal, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Chinook Salmon | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | 4/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Chinook Salmon
The largest Pacific salmon; exceptionally rich, fatty flesh with deep orange-red color and a full, buttery flavor. Superb grilled, smoked, or cured; the benchmark of Pacific salmon quality.
Summer Flounder
Thin, delicate white fillets with a sweet, mild flavor and very low fat. Prized on the U.S. East Coast; superb pan-fried in butter, stuffed and baked, or prepared as ceviche.
Species Overview
Chinook Salmon
The chinook salmon, also known as king salmon, is the largest of the Pacific salmon species. It undertakes epic migrations from the ocean to its natal river to spawn once before dying, providing nutrients to the entire watershed ecosystem.
Summer Flounder
The summer flounder, or fluke, is a flatfish that lies camouflaged on the ocean floor. Born with eyes on both sides, one eye migrates to the left side during development. An ambush predator, it explodes upward to grab passing prey.