Species Type:
Fishes
Common Name(s):
Scaled herring
Size:
The scaled herring can grow up to 11 inches (27.5 centimeters) long.
Diet:
Plankton makes up the majority of this fish's diet.
Range & Habitat:
Throughout the Caribbean Sea, west Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, scaled herrings inhabit coral reefs and sandy bottoms near the shore.
Details:
Scaled herrings have silvery bellies and dark olive-green backs, with green forked tails and dorsal fins. These fish are highly social and travel in large schools, which helps protect them from predators. They are commonly found in coastal waters and estuaries, where they play an important role in the food chain as prey for larger fish, birds, and marine mammals.