Delicate Round Herring

Family	Clupeidae
Description	Herrings, shads, sardines, menhadens
Environment	Fresh, Brackish & Marine
Etymology	Latin, clupea = sardine, derived from Clupeus = shield; doubtless a reference to the scales covering the body of the fish + Greek, odous = teeth
Genus	54
No. of Species	198
Order	Clupeiformes
Class	Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild	Nonguarders
Distribution	The classification in subfamilies is original to FishBase et based on the phylogenetic work of Lavoué et al. in absence of consensual classification so far. Includes the former Sundalangidae (1 genus, Sundalanx, and 7 species) that are actually paedomorphic species deeply nested in Clupeidae-Ehiravinae. Distribution: global (mostly tropical) from 70° N to about 60° S. Chiefly marine coastal and schooling fishes; some freshwater and anadromous. Body usually fusiform, round to strongly compressed. Head without scales; jaw teeth, when present, are small or minute. A single dorsal fin, small and near midpoint of body; pelvic fins more or less below dorsal fin base; dorsal and pelvic fins absent in some species; soft rays only. Lateral line spanning a few scales behind the head in some species, missing in others; scales cycloid (smooth to touch). Branchiostegal rays usually 5-10. Most feed on small planktonic animals. Size range (adults): from 2 to 75 cm. One of the most important family of commercial fishes, processed for food, oil, or fish meal.

Piha