Salmon is a pale pink-orange color that is named after the flesh of salmon fish. The distinctive hue of salmon results from a mix of red, orange, and small amounts of yellow pigments.
The Biology Behind Salmon Color
Salmon get their pinkish-orange color from carotenoids – the same pigments that give carrots and autumn leaves their vibrant colors. These natural pigments are acquired through the salmon’s diet of krill, shrimp, and other small crustaceans. The most prevalent carotenoids found in salmon are:
- Astaxanthin – A reddish pigment that gives salmon meat its distinctive color. Astaxanthin is by far the most abundant carotenoid in wild salmon. It accounts for about 70% of the total carotenoid content in wild salmon.
- Canthaxanthin – A bright red-orange carotenoid that along with astaxanthin provides the rich orange-pink hues. It comprises about 20% of the carotenoids in wild salmon.
- Lutein and zeaxanthin – Yellow and orange carotenoids that aid in the absorption of astaxanthin. Though small in quantity, these yellow pigments tone down the redness and give salmon flesh its orange-pink look.
These naturally occurring carotenoids are the reason wild salmon have such a vibrant pink-orange color. The relative proportions of these pigments contribute to the distinctive salmon hue.
Color Differences in Wild vs. Farmed Salmon
While wild salmon get their pink hue exclusively from eating carotenoid-rich foods, farmed salmon are fed manufactured pellets that may lack sufficient pigments. To compensate for this, astaxanthin and canthaxanthin are added to farmed salmon feed to achieve the desired pinkish-orange color:
| Wild Salmon | Farmed Salmon |
|---|---|
| Carotenoid levels and ratios achieved naturally through diet of krill and shrimp. | Supplemental carotenoids added to feed to mimic wild coloration. |
| Higher overall carotenoid levels and astaxanthin content. | Lower concentrations of natural pigments. |
| Deeper and more intense red-orange hues. | Duller and lighter pinkish orange color. |
As this table shows, the carotenoid profile and ratios of farmed salmon can be quite different from their wild counterparts. Nonetheless, the pigments added to manufactured feed allow farmed salmon to achieve a satisfactory orange-pink color.
The Color Spectrum of Salmon
Although most people think of salmon as a light pinkish-orange, wild salmon can actually exhibit a wide spectrum of colors. This varied coloring is again due to differences in carotenoid content and profile.
Some contributing factors that influence salmon color include:
- Species – Different salmon species can range from pale pink to bright red. Sockeye salmon, for example, tend to be the brightest red due to their astaxanthin levels.
- Diet – Krill are one of the richest sources of astaxanthin. Salmon with more krill in their diet will be deeper pink-orange.
- Spawning – Upstream migration and physiological changes while spawning causes carotenoid concentrations to increase in salmon flesh, intensifying their color.
- Sex – Female salmon tend to be more vibrantly colored than males and exhibit greater color variation.
This natural diversity is why photographs of salmon can show fish ranging from pale yellow-orange to bright crimson. The most prized salmon for their color are often sockeye caught during their upstream spawning migration. These salmon accumulate very high astaxanthin levels, giving them a rich dark red coloration.
Salmon Color Influences Food and Fashion
The appealing pinkish-orange tone of salmon has made it influence colors beyond just the fish itself. Some examples of salmon pink hues gaining popularity include:
- Clothing – More fashion designers and retailers are offering salmon-colored clothing options. The color flatters a variety of skin tones for tops, dresses, and bottoms.
- Home Decor – From throw pillows to accent walls, soft shades of salmon are growing trendier in home decor and interior design.
- Cosmetics – Lipsticks, blushes, and eye shadows in muted salmon hues complement many complexions.
- Cuisine – Restaurants are increasingly offering salmon-tinged foods and drinks, like salmon ice cream and cocktails.
The upsurge in salmon pink products comes from people viewing the color as inviting, energetic, and healthful. These positive associations stem from the connections people make between salmon and qualities like vitality, abundance, and nutrition.
How Lighting Affects Salmon Color Perception
The way salmon appears to our eyes can change considerably depending on lighting conditions. Salmon contains a mix of carotenoids that span the red to yellow color spectrum.
This means different kinds of light can selectively enhance different pigments in salmon flesh, altering its perceived color:
- Natural Daylight – Emphasizes vibrancy and color balance. Makes both red and yellow hues visible.
- Fluorescent Lighting – Tints salmon greener and duller. Alters color towards yellow by subduing reds.
- LED Lighting – Often adds a blue tint that makes salmon appear more purple-red.
- Incandescent Lighting – Warms and intensifies red hues while muting yellows.
To get the truest sense of salmon’s color, it is best viewed under full spectrum natural light. This lighting shows the nuanced blend of pinks, oranges, and yellows that give salmon its distinctive hue.
Mimicking Salmon Color in Paints and Plastics
The food, fashion, and interior design industries often want to recreate the signature shade of salmon in products. But matching the subtle colors is difficult using inert pigments.
Manufacturers may blend pigments like:
- Red oxide – Provides a rich orangey-red foundation.
- Cadmium red – Deepens red tones.
- Yellow ochre – Adds brighter yellow and orange elements.
- Titanium white – Lightens and desaturates the palette.
Fine-tuning mixtures of these and other pigments allows creation of paints and plastics in appealing salmon shades. But matching the natural vibrancy and healthful associations of actual salmon color remains an enduring challenge.
Conclusion
Salmon color arises from the unique blend of colorful carotenoids – especially astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and lutein – found in salmon flesh. The proportions of these pigments lead to the varying hues of pink, orange, red, and yellow seen across salmon species and environments. This attractive natural coloration has inspired a trend toward salmon-colored products due to positive associations people make with the vitality and nutrition of salmon itself. While artificial pigments can mimic salmon’s hue, they lack the depth and appeal of color derived from real carotenoid pigments.
