Notes on the Seaward Migration of Pink and Chum Salmon Fry

Abstract

The seaward migration of pink and chum salmon fry takes place at night. Strong light is avoided. In pink salmon negative rheotaxis (swimming with a current) is strongly developed and migration is not primarily effected by random swimming and passive displacement. Downstream movement is mainly at or close to the surface. In slack water vertical distribution is more uniform. In the shortest streams examined, each night's migrants appeared to reach the sea before daybreak. In a longer stream, fry were seen to bury themselves at the onset of daylight. After being held in fresh water for an undetermined period, fry show positive rheotaxis and schooling behaviour and no longer avoid light. Behaviour of fry after reaching the sea also differs from that shown during actual migration. Changes in behaviour may coincide with commencement of feeding.