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Deep herring (Escualosa thoracata) — Clupeidae

Deep herring

Escualosa thoracata
Family: Clupeidae
LC · Least Concern

The Deep herring (Escualosa thoracata) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The white sardine is a small herring relative (Clupeidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a slender, laterally compressed body with a conspicuous silvery-white side band. It forms large schools in shallow coastal waters; juveniles apparently enter the lower reaches of rivers and later return to the sea. It feeds on small zooplankton it filters from the water. It is a commercial fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deep herring?

The Deep herring has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Deep herring live?

The Deep herring lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Deep herring get?

The Deep herring grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Deep herring dangerous to humans?

No, the Deep herring is harmless to humans.

Is the Deep herring edible?

Yes, the Deep herring is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witte sardien sourced
English name
Deep herring verified
Scientific name
Escualosa thoracata
Family
Clupeidae
Other names
Deep-bodied herring; Northern herring; Sardine; White herring; White sardine verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
1.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Clupeidae

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