Sardinella

Sardinella is a genus of fish belonging to the family Dorosomatidae. These fish live in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, and are especially common in the warm waters of tropical and subtropical regions. The adults typically stay near the coast, swim in schools, and live in saltwater, but the younger fish are often found in lagoons and estuaries. Different species within the genus are identified by where they live and by certain physical traits, though they are frequently mistaken for one another.

Members of this genus have between seven and fourteen striped markings along the scales on top of their heads. A key feature that sets Sardinella apart from other genera is the paddle-shaped supramaxilla bones, and the specific shapes of these bones also help tell species apart. They also have paired scales in front of the dorsal fin and enlarged fin rays. There are currently 27 recognized species in this genus.