Spotted sardinella
📖 Overview
A pelagic, schooling species occurring in coastal waters and lagoons , at depths of 1-75m . In Panggang Island, Indonesia it was recorded in temperatures of 28.5-29.8°C and salinities of 31.6-32.3 ppt . It feeds mainly on copepods, nauplii and zoea larvae, larval bivalves and gastropods, as well as Peridinium and Ceratium; juveniles also on phytoplankton . Used as bait in the tuna fishery.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 23. Diagnosis: Body slender, belly rather rounded, scutes not prominent . It is distinguished from Amblygaster clupeoides and A. leiogaster by the presence of a series of 10-20 gold, in life, or black, on preservation, spots down the flank, but sometimes missing; also, lower gillrakers 33-43, while 26-33 in the other two species . Sardinops species are also round-bodied and have spots on the flanks, but possess bony radiating striae on the gill cover; round-bodied Sardinella species have one unbranched and 8 branched pelvic finrays while Amblygaster sirm has one unbranched and 7 branched pelvic finrays, and more than 100 gillrakers are present in Sardinella species, also no spots . Last 2 anal-fin rays enlarged . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spotted sardinella is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
The fish feeds on minute organisms like copepods, larval bivalves and aquatic gastropods, and dinoflagellates like Peridinium and Ceratium.
🥚 Reproduction
Spawn in school .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 75 m . Tropical; 35°N - 28°S, 31°E - 178°W West Pacific: Red Sea and Mozambique to the Philippines, north to Taiwan and Okinawa (Japan), south to New Guinea, the Arafura Sea (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
copepods, nauplii and zoea larvae, larval bivalves and gastropods, as well as Peridinium and Ceratiu
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Spotted sardinella is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 277 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Spotted sardinella has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Northern Pilchard · Spotted Sardine · Spotted sardinella · white sardinella |
| 🌍CES | sardinka rudomořská |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Plettet glatmavesardin |
| 🇫🇷French | Sardinelle tachetée |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Hoshiyamatomizun · ホシヤマトミズン |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Пятнистая сардинелла |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | sardinela manchada |
| 🌍THA | ปลาอกแรกลม |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 斑點鈍腹鯡 · 沙丁魚 · 苦瞭 · 西姆圓腹沙丁 · 西姆鈍腹鯡 · 鰮仔 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 11 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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