What is the Difference Between Sea Trout and Salmon?

The main differences between sea trout and salmon are their physical appearance, coloring, and scale patterns. Here are the key distinctions:

1. General appearance: Salmon have a more slender and streamlined shape, while sea trout are more round and thickset.
2. Head: Salmon have a pointed head, while sea trout have a more rounded head.
3. Position of the eye: In salmon, the maxilla (bony plate usually alongside the mouth) does not extend beyond the rear of the eye, while in sea trout, the maxilla extends beyond the eye.
4. Color: Salmon have relatively few spots and are often bright silver in color, while sea trout are more heavily spotted and have a mix of colors, including brown and orange.
5. Scale count: Salmon have 10-13 scales counted obliquely forward from the adipose fin to the lateral line, while sea trout have 13-16 scales.
6. Fork of tail: Salmon usually have a forked tail, while sea trout can have a square or convex tail.
7. Wrist of tail: Salmon have a slimmer tail wrist, while sea trout have a broader tail wrist.

While both species belong to the same family, these differences allow for easy identification when comparing the two.

Comparative Table: Sea Trout vs Salmon

Here is a table illustrating the differences between sea trout and salmon:

Sea trout typically have a more round and thickset body, with a rounded head, and are freshwater fish. They have small, round scales that are tightly packed together and more numerous, heavily spotted bodies.

Salmon, on the other hand, have a slender and streamlined body, with a pointed head, and are saltwater fish. They have larger, irregularly shaped scales that are more widely spaced and fewer, larger spots that are often more square or convex in shape. Salmon is also known for its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for heart health and brain function.