The diagrams below show the life cycle of a species of large fish called the salmon.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Stage 1: upper river (slow moving), approximately 5-6 months, salmon eggs among reeds and small stones turning into fry (3-8 cm fish)
Stage 2: lower river (fast flowing), approximately 4 years, the fry turning into smolt (12-15 cm fish)
Stage 3: open sea, approximately 5 years, the smolt turning into adult salmon (70-76 cm fish)
The diagrams illustrate the life cycle of a species of large fish, the salmon. The life cycle comprises three distinct stages, each characterized by specific locations and growth periods.
Stage 1 occurs in the upper river, where salmon eggs are deposited among reeds and small stones. This stage lasts approximately 5-6 months, during which the eggs hatch, and the salmon transform into fry, measuring 3-8 cm in length.
Stage 2 takes place in the lower river, where the fry move to fast-flowing waters. Over the course of approximately 4 years, the fry undergo further development and become smolt, reaching a size of 12-15 cm.
Stage 3 marks the final phase of the life cycle, occurring in the open sea. During this period, which lasts around 5 years, the smolt transform into adult salmon, growing to a substantial size of 70-76 cm.
Comparatively, the duration of each stage varies significantly, with the upper river stage being the shortest at 5-6 months, the lower river stage taking approximately 4 years, and the open sea stage lasting the longest at about 5 years. Additionally, the size of the fish increases dramatically as they progress through the life cycle, starting as small fry and maturing into large adult salmon, which go back to the upper river where they were born to lay eggs, and the cycle begins all over again.