Red Salmon vs. Pink Salmon
Main DifferenceThe main difference between Red Salmon and Pink Salmon is that the Red Salmon changes its color into the red during spawning, whereas Pink Salmon does not change its color during spawning.

Difference Between Red Salmon and Pink Salmon
Red Salmon vs. Pink Salmon
The salmon, which consists of reddish-pink meat of the sockeye salmon, is known as the red salmon and importantly used as food; on the other hand, the salmon contains pale pink meat of the humpback salmon is known as the pink salmon.
Red Salmon vs. Pink Salmon
The common name for red salmon is known as ‘Sockeye salmon’; on the contrary, the common name for pink salmon known as ‘Humpback salmon.’
Red Salmon vs. Pink Salmon
The red salmon contains more cost and more expensive than pink salmon; on the flip side, the pink salmon is generally cheaper than red salmon.
Red Salmon vs. Pink Salmon
In the recipes, the red salmon considered good with other intense flavors, whereas the pink salmon used as salads or fishcakes due to its delicate nature and a mild taste.
Red Salmon vs. Pink Salmon
The texture of the red salmon is firm, and it is rich in taste while considering its culinary values; on the other hand, the pink salmon having culinary values into consideration contains soft texture and mild flavor.
Red Salmon vs. Pink Salmon
The second most abundant salmon in the Pacific Ocean is the red salmon, which weighs about 6 pounds; on the contrary, the most abundant salmon of all in the Pacific Ocean is the pink salmon, which weighs about 4 pounds.
Comparison Chart
Red Salmon | Pink Salmon |
The red salmon is pacific salmon and are mainly caught in the wild, changes its color into red. | The pink salmon is also a pacific salmon and usually caught in the wild, but it does not change its color. |
Considered As | |
Considered as the reddish-pink meat of the sockeye salmon which uses as food | Considered as the pale pink meat of the humpback salmon which also used as the food |
Common Name | |
The ‘Sockeye salmon’ is the common name for red salmon | The ‘Humpback salmon’ is known as the common name for the pink salmon |
Color Difference | |
Becomes red and changes its color during their reproducing in the freshwater | Does not change its color in the freshwater during spawning |
Size | |
The weight is about 6 pounds | The weight is around 4 pounds |
After Hatching | |
Almost spends over a year in freshwater and then goes to towards the sea after hatching | After hatching goes straight to the sea |
Abundance | |
Considered as the second most abundant salmons in the pacific ocean | Known as the most abundant salmons in the pacific ocean |
Largest Salmon Runs | |
The largest red salmon run is present in Bristol Bay, and in Alaska has a system of freshwater lakes and sometimes saltwater bays | The largest pink salmon run is present in southeast Alaska having a minor climate and plentiful rainfall, or many short watercourses running towards the sea |
Taste | |
Considering culinary value consists of the firm in texture and rich in flavor | Considering culinary value consists of a soft texture and a mild flavor |
Recipies | |
Although considered good with other strong flavors | Considered good for fishcakes and as salads because of its delicate flavor |
Cost | |
More costly and expensive | Less expensive than red salmon |
Nutritions | |
Consists of about 8 grams of fat and usually comes in at 186 calories for a 4-ounce serving | Contains 152 calories and have 5 grams of fat in a 4-ounce serving |
Red Salmon vs. Pink Salmon
The red salmon considered as the reddish-pink meat of the sockeye salmon, which uses as food, while pink salmon considered as the pale pink meat of the humpback salmon, which also used as the food. The ‘Sockeye salmon’ is the common name for red salmon; on the other hand, the ‘Humpback salmon’ is known as the common name for the pink salmon.
The red salmon becomes red and changes its color during their reproducing in the freshwater; on the contrary, the pink salmon does not change its color in the freshwater during spawning. The weight of the red salmon is about 6 pounds; on the flip side, the weight of the pink salmon is around 4 pounds.
After hatching, the red salmon almost spends over a year in freshwater and then goes to towards the sea, whereas the pink salmon after hatching goes straight to the sea. The red salmon is considered the second most abundant salmons in the pacific ocean; on the other hand, the pink salmon known as the most abundant salmons in the pacific ocean.
The most extensive red salmon run is present in Bristol Bay, and Alaska has a system of freshwater lakes and sometimes saltwater bays. On the contrary, the most extensive pink salmon run is present in southeast Alaska, having a minor climate and plentiful rainfall, or many short watercourses running towards the sea. Considering culinary value, the red salmon is firm in texture and rich in flavor; on the flip side, the pink salmon consists of a soft texture and a mild flavor.
The red salmon is, although considered good with other strong flavors; on the other hand, the pink salmon deemed to be good for fishcakes and salads because of its delicate flavor. Red salmon is more costly and expensive, while pink salmon is less expensive than red salmon. The red salmon consists of about 8 grams of fat and usually comes in at 186 calories for a 4-ounce serving, while pink salmon contains 152 calories and have 5 grams of fat in a 4-ounce serving.
What is Red Salmon?
Red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) or known as sockeye salmon, is considered as the second most abundant salmon in the Pacific Ocean. The features of red salmon are that it consists of a significant bright, red-orange color.
The flavor of the red salmon contains an intense flavor and has a firm texture. The red color of the red salmon is because of the eating of krill (shrimp-like crustacean). The red salmon changes into the deep red color from their bright silver skin when moving from upstream to spawn.
The weight of the red salmon is about 6 pounds, and it consists of approximately 8 grams of fat and usually comes in at 186 calories for a 4-ounce serving. The red salmon is expensive and more costly than pink salmon.
What is Pink Salmon?
Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbusha) Is also known as humpback salmon and is one of those types of salmon fishes which are most abundant in the pacific ocean. The pink salmon consists of a light pale pink colored flesh, also mild flavor and soft texture.
The pink salmon is sold either as canned fish, smoked, frozen, or fresh. The pink salmon is called humpback salmon or humpies because of the presence of a distinctive hump on their back during reproduction.
The pink salmon contains 152 calories and has 5 grams of fat in a 4-ounce serving, and it weighs about 4 pounds. The pink salmon is less expensive than red salmon. It goes straight towards the sea after hatching.
ConclusionThe above discussion concludes that the red salmon contains the significant red color in its meat and having an intense flavor, while pink salmon includes a pale pink color in its meat and having mild flavor. The red salmon changes its color during spawning and remains in freshwater for one year after hatching, whereas pink salmon does not change its color and move towards the sea after hatching.