Pacific menhaden
📖 Overview
Occurs in coastal waters, forming large schools. Feeds by filtering phytoplankton (diatoms) and zooplankton (especially copepods), but will also take small fishes and crustaceans. Breeds in spring (Chile), depositing its eggs in coastal waters on sand, to which the sticky eggs cling, the larvae rising and joining the surface plankton on hatching. Marketed fresh, frozen, or canned.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 15. Scutes present along back (before dorsal fin) as well as along belly. Upper jaw with median notch. Gill rakers fine and slender, about 130 to 150 in lower limb. Anal fin short, well behind last dorsal fin ray. Scales with pectinated hind border. A dark spot behind gill cover and up to 4 series of vertically oval spots along flank.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pacific menhaden is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Pacific menhaden is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 0 - 50 m . Tropical; 0° - 37°S, 86°W - 70°W Southwest Pacific: Peru (Puerto Pizarro in Gulf of Guayaquil to Callao and Pisco Bay; presumably to border with Chile, but no records) and Chile (whole coast south to Talcahuano).
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Pacific Menhaden 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 | 18.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 328 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pacific menhaden has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Menhaden · Pacific menhaden · Shad |
| 🌍CES | placka zdobená |
| 🇫🇷French | Menhaden du Pacifique |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Menhadem-do-Pacífico-sudeste |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Перуанская мачета |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Machete · Machuelo · Tritr · Tritre |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alausa coerulea | Valenciennes | 1847 | Heterotypic |
| Alausa maculata | Valenciennes | 1847 | Synonym |
| Brevoortia maculata | Valenciennes | 1847 | Synonym |
| Brevoortia maculata chilcae | Hildebrand | 1946 | Synonym |
| Clupea maculata | Valenciennes | 1847 | Synonym |
| Clupea notacanthoides | Steindachner | 1869 | Synonym |
| Clupea notacanthus | Günther | 1868 | Synonym |
| Ethmidium chilcae | Hildebrand | 1946 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 6 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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