Sardinella
A genus of coastal, schooling marine fish in tropical oceans.
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BEDO (Thailand) · via Wikipedia: Sardinella · CC BY-SA 4.0
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.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassActinopterygii
- DivisionTeleostei
- OrderClupeiformes
- FamilyDorosomatidae
- GenusSardinella
Named by Valenciennes, 1847
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Sardinella (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick Facts
- Type species
- Sardinella aurita
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Sardinella species are widely distributed across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, thriving in warmer tropical and subtropical waters. Adults are typically found in coastal marine environments, forming large schools, while juveniles inhabit lagoons and estuaries. The genus is characterized by paddle-shaped supramaxilla bones, which separate Sardinella from other genera and also help distinguish individual species. Additionally, these fish have seven to 14 striped markings along the scales on the top of the head, paired predorsal scales, and enlarged fin rays.
Reader's Guide
The genus Sardinella holds significance as a group of abundant, schooling fish in warmer oceans worldwide. Their presence in coastal waters and use of lagoons and estuaries as juvenile habitat links them to both marine and brackish ecosystems.
The paddle-shaped supramaxilla bones are a key diagnostic feature that distinguishes Sardinella from other genera, and the variation in these bones aids in species identification. Despite these distinguishing traits, species within the genus are often confused with one another due to overlapping ranges and similar body features. The 27 recognized species reflect ongoing taxonomic work, with several species described in recent years, indicating that the diversity of the genus continues to be refined.
More in Marine Fish Genera
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Sardinella (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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