The red salmon in minecraft are likely based off of the sockeye salmon. These salmon don't actually turn red like this until they are spawning. Once they begin this transformation their bodies start to weaken, and when they have finished spawning they will die. Seeing salmon in their spawning colors in the ocean makes little sense. Salmon are also less tasty during this phase of their lives and most people wouldn't eat them.


I changed the salmon texture to be silver and black like sockeye are when they are not spawning. I made the cooked salmon redder because sockeye salmon have very red flesh in real life.

Fun fact: Landlocked sockeye salmon are called silver trout or kokanee. They also turn red when spawning.