Herring

Body moderately slender, belly with usually 19 to 21 - 8, total 27 to 29 scutes. Eye large, lower jaw projecting. Dorsal fin origin at about midpoint of body; anal fin origin under hind part of dorsal fin base. Vertical striae on scales not continuous, but with a distinct gap across center of scale. Swim bladder with two tubes passing back in the muscles on either side of haemal spines.

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 38 - 46

Enters rivers and tolerates water of low salinity (Ref. 188).

Occurs in coastal waters, but also enters rivers and tolerates water of low salinity. Feeds on planktonic crustaceans and fishes; also amphipods.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: high; price reliability: unreliable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this order