steel-head Salmon!

[Canmoore]

Why is it that Independet Grocers, and other Grocery chains label Atlantic Salmon as steel-head Salmon?

I believe, it is because they are afraid that people will not purchase fish, if it is called Atlantic Salmon, because the majority of it in the Grocery chain is farmed.

But come-on, steel-head Salmon? I once argued with a half-witted meat clerk, who fool-heartedly faught for his own belief, that there was indeed a species called steel-head Salmon.

The fact is that, Steelhead, is a name for spawning Rainbow Trout, because they turn to a metallic steel colour.

Always makes me cringe when I see Steelhead salmon for sale.

[Markus]

Actually a steelhead is just a name used for rainbows that migrate to bigger water like the pacific ocean and the great lakes.

There's farmed steelhead too....which are infact a salmon. So if it's farmed rainbow trout, the term could be used with some justification. Not if it's atlantic salmon though - which I'm surprise they'd change the name due to it's brand awareness.

[frozenflyguy]

To add some detail to the discussion ...

Rainbow Trout/Steelhead are a member of the Salmonidae family (also included in this group are whitefish and grayling). They (Rainbow Trout) are part of the sub-family salmoninae (which inlcude salmon, trout and char). Named Salmo gairdneri in 1836 they were later revelealed to be more closely related to Pacific salmon (Onchorynchus brethren) than brown trout hence the name change to Onchorynchus mykiss.

This example (Steelhead Salmon) is just one of many relating to fish that are imported/exported, bought and sold that cause significant confusion with consumers and should be corrected wherever it is seen. There was a similar discussion I had at McDonalds when I asked what kind of fish was in the fillet-o-fish ... I was put at ease to hear (and please read the sarcasm) ... that "Atlantic fish" was the name on the box ... good to know what we are eating isnt it?

[Canmoore]

To add some detail to the discussion ...

Rainbow Trout/Steelhead are a member of the Salmonidae family (also included in this group are whitefish and grayling). They (Rainbow Trout) are part of the sub-family salmoninae (which inlcude salmon, trout and char). Named Salmo gairdneri in 1836 they were later revelealed to be more closely related to Pacific salmon (Onchorynchus brethren) than brown trout hence the name change to Onchorynchus mykiss.

This example (Steelhead Salmon) is just one of many relating to fish that are imported/exported, bought and sold that cause significant confusion with consumers and should be corrected wherever it is seen. There was a similar discussion I had at McDonalds when I asked what kind of fish was in the fillet-o-fish ... I was put at ease to hear (and please read the sarcasm) ... that "Atlantic fish" was the name on the box ... good to know what we are eating isnt it?

Oh I know all about the Salmonidae family. I studied Aquaculture in college. Salmonids make up the bulk of farmed fish in the western world.

Steelhead is a name given to Rainbow Trout. Because Rainbow trout living in Large bodies of water (oceans and great lakes) are dark metallic great on top, and metallic silver on the sides. Which differ from rainbow trout found in lakes and rivers. Which are olive green on top, and the namesake rainbow pattern on the sides.
Two names, same species, different coloring pattern.

Calling farmed Rainbow trout, steelhead salmon. Is the equivilant of selling Walleye, as Pickeral Perch!!!!

[Doug]

A few years ago, "somebody" announced that steelhead had been re-classified as a Pacific salmon and not as a trout. I no longer recall where I read that, but it was apparently a "scientific" decision.

Here is one link:

http://www.gosalmonfishing.com/salmon-s ... elhead.php

I suggest one might wish to contact an actual authority about this.

But anyways, farmed steelhead fillets are delicious, and MUCH cheaper than the ones I used to pay thousands of dollars to catch!

Doug

PS) BTW this is completely INCORRECT:

The fact is that, Steelhead, is a name for spawning Rainbow Trout, because they turn to a metallic steel colour.

Steelhead has been a term for anadromous rainbows, in Ontario, for at least thirty years. NOT spawning trout, but trout that return to their natal streams like their Pacific cousins. A bit of serious study of real literature will provide many hours of interesting reading, including for former aquaculture students.

[Canmoore]

Correction noted!

However, Steelhead salmon sold in stores may be anything! seeing as there is no such thing as a steelhead salmon.

You raised the point, that steelhead salmon fillets are cheap, this is a clue as to what the species really is! Farmed fish is always cheaper than wild caught fish.

The reason being that farmed fish could be swimming, and on your dinner plate within the course of 24 hours. While wild salmon sits in a holding area on a ship for up to a week, than shipped out via truck/train to various stores. Further you live from the ocean or Great Lakes, more travelling the fish has, which only serves to increase the cost!

Pacific Salmon (pink salmon included) are not widely farmed as Atlantic Salmon are. The reason is that for whatever reason, Pacific Salmon are not as hardy as there Atlantic brethren, and farmed Pacific Salmon flesh is mushy. While Atlantic Salmon flesh remains firm.

Thus Steelhead salmon sold in markets, is Atlantic Salmon. As farmed Rainbow trout (I have experience in a Rainbow Trout FCS) does not have the steelhead colouring, but rather the rainbow colouring.

[Jimmy_1]

Whatever the case may be.....

They ALL taste great with some lemon and next to a helping of fries...

Agreed???

[Doug]

Whatever the case may be.....

They ALL taste great with some lemon and next to a helping of fries...

Agreed???

Smoked.

[Maple]

Since you asked, here's more than you probably wanted to know, from the Dept. of Fisheries and Ocean's website.

quote

Do You Know: Steelhead?
Quick Facts:
Scientific name: Oncorhynchus mykiss.
Steelhead were at one time considered a trout species but have been discovered by biologists to be more closely related to Pacific salmon than other trout.
The fresh water variant of steelhead is known as rainbow trout.
Unlike most other Pacific salmon, some steelhead individuals live to spawn more than once.
A legendary fighter, the steelhead has a long history in BC’s angling community, although recent population declines in the Georgia Basin area have seen many protective measures come into effect in order to restore dwindling stocks.
Steelhead trout can be found from southern California to the Alaska panhandle, with major spawning grounds centered between Oregon and northern BC in coastal rivers and streams as well as tributaries to major river systems.

Steelhead live up to nine years and spend between one and three years in freshwater before smolting and entering the ocean. After spawning, many adult steelhead return to the sea and some (up to 20 per cent, mostly females) return to freshwater after recuperation to spawn a second time – unlike other Pacific salmon which die after their first and only spawning. Some individuals can spawn many times and those that repeat spawn are referred to as “kelts”.

Young steelhead live for one to three full years in fresh water before travelling to the sea as smolts. This migration takes place in spring. Normally two or more summers are spent in the Pacific Ocean before the steelhead return to seek their spawning streams at the age of four or five.

Young steelhead are brightly coloured with tints of red, green-yellow, orange and gold. As they mature they more closely resemble the Atlantic salmon in structure and appearance with heavier spotting. Steehead differ from other Pacific salmon in having a shorter anal fin containing less than 12 supporting rays. When in the sea the body is mainly silvery with a blue back. At spawning time, a band of red colour develops along each side of the body.

Material for this page taken from Underwater World: Pacific Salmon and The Incredible Salmonids (out-of-print), and additionally supplied by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch of DFO.

end of quote

So, what you see sold as sleelhead salmon is just an updating of the terminology for what used to be called steelhead trout. Same species as rainbow trout, but the andromodous form, and definitely farmed.

BTW, did you know most farmed Atlantic salmon comes from Chile?

Maple

[Canmoore]

Oncorhynchus mykiss = Scientific name for Rainbow Trout. No matter what you call it, it is still a Rainbow Trout!

But as james said they all taste good!