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Deep-bodied sardine (Sardinella albella) — Clupeidae

Deep-bodied sardine

Sardinella albella
Family: Clupeidae
LC · Least Concern

The Deep-bodied sardine (Sardinella albella) is a brackish-water fish of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–50 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The white sardinella is a herring (Clupeidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with a shiny flank. It lives in coastal waters and forms large schools. It feeds by filtering zooplankton and phytoplankton from the water. It is an important prey fish and a commercial food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deep-bodied sardine?

The Deep-bodied sardine has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Silvery shoaling sardinella; plankton filter feeder and important prey and food fish.

Where does the Deep-bodied sardine live?

The Deep-bodied sardine lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters.

How big does the Deep-bodied sardine get?

The Deep-bodied sardine grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Deep-bodied sardine dangerous to humans?

No, the Deep-bodied sardine is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Deep-bodied sardine edible?

Yes, the Deep-bodied sardine is commonly eaten.

More photos

Deep-bodied sardine (Sardinella albella) — Clupeidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) H.T.Cheng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Deep-bodied sardine (Sardinella albella) — Clupeidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) H.T.Cheng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Deep-bodied sardine (Sardinella albella) — Clupeidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Si Gam (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Deep-bodied sardine (Sardinella albella) — Clupeidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) زين _النجم, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Deep-bodied sardine verified
Scientific name
Sardinella albella
Family
Clupeidae
Other names
Perforated-scale sardine; Sardine; Short-bodied sardine; White sardinella; White sardinelle verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15 verified
Average length (cm)
10 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
50 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton and phytoplankton, sieved from the water sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Silvery shoaling sardinella; plankton filter feeder and important prey and food fish. sourced

For anglers

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

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Sardinella

More from the family Clupeidae

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