The Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) is the smallest of the species (less than 50cm long and weighing less than 2.5kg). This is, without doubt, because the alevins, scarcely born, go out to the Ocean. They very quickly (2 years) reach sexual maturity, which is why they are once again to be found throughout Canadian waters. Yet, like all Pacific salmon, the Pink salmon dies after it has reproduced, ie after just two years. It is also called the humpback salmon because of the male's spectacular deformation at the time of reproduction. It is less highly rated than its cousin, the Chinook, because of its soft skin and small size.