The diagram illustrates the various stages of development in the life cycle of the salmon.

Overall, salmons undergo seven stages starting from eggs hatching to the stage of death
throughout their lives where their life spans last approximately 8 years.

At the very beginning of the cycle, salmons lay eggs in fresh water where they hatch in there for
around 3 months. After hatching, the eggs continue growing as Alevin and they feed off the yolk
sac. In 5 to 10 weeks, they start getting into the shape of fish which is called fry and they can
start swimming. Then, they develop into parr after several months where they grow finger
markings on their bodies.

By the time it is 1 to 3 years old, salmons turn into smolt which is old enough to divide into
groups and head out to the sea where they spend their adulthood 1 to 8 years. Eventually, they
return to fresh water and die within 2 weeks right after they spawn the eggs.