While the flesh color is a direct result of carotenoids in their diet, there is also a unique genetic component. The gene beta-carotene oxygenase 1 is responsible for carotenoid metabolism, and most ...

Pacific salmon is generally a deep pinkish-red color and is found in the wild. U.S. Atlantic salmon is always farm-raised. Salmon gets its pink color from a pigment called astaxanthin.

The red color of salmon flesh — their muscle tissue — is a unique trait in several types of salmon. It's an evolved genetic trait that likely occurred as an evolutionary mutation and ...