When the salmon fry are one year old, they are called parr. The pair has distinct stripes on the sides. The stripes are fine camouflage in flowing river water. The pair typically live one to four years in the river. There it hunts for food and good hiding places. Parren is a loner.

Salmon pups between the ages of one and four are called parr. The salmon pair has eight to twelve distinct transverse stripes—so-called pair marks—on the side of the body. It almost looks as if someone has been holding tight around the fish carcass. Many people therefore call the stripes finger marks. The pair is an accomplished swimmer and thrives best in flowing water. The pair therefore have long, strong pectoral fins. The finger marks provide good camouflage in the river.

Parr keeps to himself and fights other parr for both food and good hiding places. Throughout the year, the pair find food in the river. As long as the river water is not too hot (above 24 degrees) or too cold (below 6 degrees), it grows. But it doesn't grow that fast. It can take four years for the pair to have grown as long as a ballpoint pen, but in some places it takes less time.

As long as the parr marks appear, the salmon is called parr. When the streaks disappear, it's a sign that the pair will soon leave the river to head to the ocean. When the salmon leaves the river, it is called smolt.

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