White sardine
📖 Overview
Forms schools in shallow waters, the juveniles apparently entering the lower parts of rivers, but returning later to the sea. Feeds on both zooplankton (copepods, crab zoea, larvae of bivalves and fish eggs) and phytoplankton. Breeds from October to February (mainly November to January) off western coast of India, usually in relatively shallow inshore waters. Marketed fresh and dried-salted.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 19. Belly strongly keeled. The almost rectangular second supra-maxilla and the bright silver stripe along the flank distinguish it from juveniles of Sardinella, Amblygaster and Herklotsichthys. Resembles some pellonulines with a silver stripe, but they lack a first supra-maxilla. Distinguished from E. elongata of the Gulf of Thailand but its deeper body and broader silver stripe.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for White sardine is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for White sardine is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Semelparous.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; amphidromous ; depth range 0 - 50 m . Tropical; 27°N - 22°S, 64°E - 151°E West Pacific: northern Indian Ocean (Karachi eastward to Rangoon) to Thailand, Indonesia (Java Sea), the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.
🌿 Ecology
both zooplankton (copepods, crab zoea, larvae of bivalves and fish eggs) and phytoplankton
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"White sardine 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 | 18.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 471 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for White sardine has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Deep Herring · Northern Herring · White herring · white sardine |
| 🌍CES | sleď obrněný |
| 🇫🇷French | alose blanche |
| 🌍MSA | Beliak mata |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Крепкая эскуалоза |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | sardina blanca |
| 🌍THA | ปลากะตักแก้ว · ปลาเกล็ดเงิน |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 12 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet — be the first to log one!
View all observations for White sardine ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.