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Caspian deepwater kilka (Clupeonella grimmi) — Clupeidae

Caspian deepwater kilka

Clupeonella grimmi
Family: Clupeidae

The Caspian deepwater kilka (Clupeonella grimmi) is a brackish-water fish of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–32 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Caspian deepwater kilka is a small herring relative (Clupeidae) from the brackish water of the deeper parts of the Caspian Sea. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, bright-silvery body with a keeled belly and large eyes. As an open-water schooling fish it swims in enormous groups and filters small zooplankton. It is an extremely important commercial fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Caspian deepwater kilka?

The Caspian deepwater kilka has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Caspian deepwater kilka live?

The Caspian deepwater kilka lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan

How big does the Caspian deepwater kilka get?

The Caspian deepwater kilka grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Caspian deepwater kilka dangerous to humans?

No, the Caspian deepwater kilka is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Caspian deepwater kilka edible?

Yes, the Caspian deepwater kilka is commonly eaten.

More photos

Caspian deepwater kilka (Clupeonella grimmi) — Clupeidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) alireza kiani, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Caspian deepwater kilka (Clupeonella grimmi) — Clupeidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) alireza kiani, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Caspian deepwater kilka sourced
Scientific name
Clupeonella grimmi
Family
Clupeidae
Other names
Bigeye tyulka; Southern Caspian sprat; Bigeye kilka verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.5 verified
Average length (cm)
11 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Max depth (m)
32 verified
Natural range
Asia: Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Max. age (years)
8 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Clupeonella

More from the family Clupeidae

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