Thy flesh we consume! or in a more tame version: its because of the Salmonberry.

Sockeye and Kokanee salmon’s exteriors both turn bright reddish pink when they are spawning. We can use that as an excuse if the fish ever turn sentient.

You know what’s really good? Salmon fish eggs. If you offered me coke or ikura. I would take the fish eggs. Wash those babies up with some sake and slap em on a cucumber. Probably my favorite food.

Kokanee salmon has that red color at some point - if i recall its when they are swimming up stream for breeding and will die at the end.

named for your inner beauty