When reaching the lake, they group in schools to feed on the small aquatic organisms. Growth is slow the first years, but increases toward the second and third season. As they grow they feed on the larger zoo plankton. As young fish, Kokanee are brilliant silver on their sides and dark gray to blue on the back. As they reach maturity after three to four years, the color of both male and female changes to crimson.
Male fish develop a long, hooked snout with large teeth.
Also, they become humpbacked with a greenish head. The success of these introductions has since blossomed into a growing sport fishery in the west and has spread to many eastern waters as well. Continued planting and new introductions throughout California will see an increasing number of anglers pursuing these sporting, tasty, land-locked sockeye salmon. Following is a explanation by ODFW Biologist Chris Kern of what Triploidy is about. This was taken from the Kokanee Page - Facts Area .