Alewife
Alosa pseudoharengus
Scaled Sardine
Harengula jaguana
About
The scaled sardine is a small herring-like fish common along the western Atlantic coast, often seen in tight schools near shore. Anglers know it well as bait, catching it with cast nets or small sabiki rigs.
How to tell it apart
It looks much like other small herrings and sardines in the same waters. The small dark spot at the top of the gill cover, rather than further down or missing, is the mark to check.
Appearance
Its back is a solid colour marked with dark streaks. Most have a single small dark spot at the top edge of the gill cover, and some carry a second spot on the shoulder just behind it.
Did you know?
The scaled sardine grows fast and lives only a short life, burning through generations quickly compared to longer-lived reef fish.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
