Steelhead vs Salmon: Difference and Comparison

Fish is one of the most common aquatic species. Different types of fish can be found in various parts of the water. Steelhead and salmon are two of the fish. People frequently utilize these fish species since they’re so widespread, however, they seem to get mixed up a lot. Because their look and flavour are indistinguishable, it has similar appearance and flavour, yet they are vastly different from where they live to the contour of their heads.

Key Takeaways

1. Steelhead is a type of rainbow trout that migrates to the ocean, while salmon are a separate species with distinct life cycles.
2. Steelhead and salmon have different physical characteristics, with steelhead having a more elongated body and a less pronounced hooked jaw than salmon.
3. Both steelhead and salmon are valued for their taste and nutritional content, but they face threats from overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change.

Steelhead vs Salmon

Steelhead is a type of fish. Steelhead trout are born in freshwater rivers and streams, then migrate out to the ocean to grow and mature before returning to their natal rivers to spawn. Salmon is a type of fish that is a popular food source and game fish. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Steelhead inhabits a stream emptying into the Pacific Ocean. As for appearance, the steelhead’s body colour is silvery and brass, especially in adults. However, Steelhead has either dark red, pink, or orange colour meat. Moreover, Steelhead’s egg is orange in colour. Additionally, coming to the feature of steelhead has a round head. 

Salmon inhabit streams in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. As for the appearance, the salmon’s body colour is a range of colours, including light orange and an almost white appearance. However, Salmon has red, grey, and white colour meat. Moreover, Salmon egg is of different colours, including pale yellowish-orange to dark reddish-orange. Additionally, coming to the feature of steelhead has a sharper head. 

Comparison Table

Parameters of comparison	Steelhead	Salmon
Inhabit	Steelhead inhabits the stream emptying into the Pacific Ocean.	Salmon inhabits the stream in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Body-color	Steelhead’s body color is silvery and brass, especially in adults.	Salmon’s body color is a range of colors including light orange and an almost white appearance.
Egg’s color	Steelhead’s egg is orange in color.	Salmon’s egg has different colors including pale yellowish-orange to dark reddish-orange.
Head shape	Steelhead has a round head.	Salmon has a sharper head
Meat color	Steelhead has either dark-red, pink, or orange color meat.	Salmon has red, gray, and white color meat.

What is Steelhead? 

Steelhead is a type of trout fish. A steelhead changes from a rainbow trout to a steelhead trout if it migrates to an ocean. It doesn’t change into a steelhead if it doesn’t migrate to an ocean. 

Steelhead is a different type of trout fish but from the same family of salmons. Therefore, it resembles a salmon and is indistinguishable. Also, it belongs to the family of salmonids.  

Usually, it inhabits streams emptying into the Pacific Ocean, especially in freshwater. It is anadromous as it migrates from marines to freshwater environments. The sole purpose of migration is spawning. 

Moreover, the age span of a steelhead is up to eight years, and it can possibly spawn three times. However, it doesn’t survive that long except for females. 

As for appearance, the steelhead’s body colour is silvery and brass, especially in adults. However, Steelhead has either dark red, pink, or orange colour meat. The body is more streamlined. One of the contrasting features is gums, steelhead gums, and the insides of the mouth are white. 

Furthermore, Steelhead’s egg is orange in colour. Additionally, coming to the feature of steelhead has a round head. 

One unique thing is that steelhead fillets are cheaper and have a mild flavour. And steelhead is 20lb in weight. 

What is Salmon? 

Steelhead is a ray-finned fish. A salmon doesn’t change at all and stays as a salmon throughout its lifespan. 

It also belongs to the family of Salmonidae. Therefore, it sometimes resembles some other members f the family species. It includes char, trout, whitefish, and grayling. 

Usually, it inhabits streams in the North of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is also anadromous as it migrates from marine to freshwater environments. The sole purpose of migration is spawning. 

Moreover, the age span of salmon is up to seven years, and they possibly can spawn only once a year as it takes a long journey for their inhabitant to reproduce. 

As for the appearance, the salmon’s body colour is a range of colours, including light orange and an almost white appearance. However, Salmon has red, grey, and white colour meat.  The body colour depends on the richness of the diet of fish. One of the contrasting features is gums, and salmon gums are dark or black in colour. 

Furthermore, Salmon egg is of different colours, including pale yellow to dark reddish-orange. Additionally, coming to the feature of steelhead, it has a sharper head. 

Lastly, salmons are 40 -60lb. However, the giant salmon can weigh over 80lb. 

Main Differences Between Steelhead and Salmon 

One of the primary species of water is fish. Different types of fish are present in the different parts of the water. One of the fish is steelhead and Salmon. People often use these fish species as they’re very common, although people seem to confuse them a lot. As one cannot tell them apart by appearance and taste. It looks and tastes very alike, however, they’re very different from each other. From their inhabitation to their head shape. 

1. Steelhead inhabits the stream emptying into the Pacific Ocean, while Salmon inhabits the stream in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 
2. Steelhead’s body colour is silvery and brass, especially in adults, while Salmon’s body colour is a range of colours, including light orange and an almost white appearance. 
3. Steelhead’s egg is orange in colour. Meanwhile, Salmon egg has different colours, including pale yellowish-orange to dark reddish-orange. 
4. Steelhead has a round head, while salmon has a sharper head. 
5. Steelhead has either dark red, pink, or orange colour meat, while Salmon has red, grey, and white colour meat. 

References

1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1577/1548-8659(1987)116%3C737%3APEOCSA%3E2.0.CO%3B2
2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1577/T02-084.1