Gulf Herring

Closely resembles H. punctatus in shape, but the latter lacks a dark blotch on the dorsal fin and has small dark spots along the back and not on the flank. Distinguished from H. spilurus by its more slender body and spots along the flank. Possibly overlaps range of H. quadrimaculatus, which lacks spots on the flank and has elongate wing-like scales underneath paired pre-dorsal scales.

Oviparous (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 21; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 12 - 23

A schooling species found in coastal waters. Coastal pelagic (Ref. 68964).

fisheries: of potential interest