Redear herring
📖 Overview
Occur in coastal waters, usually along the shoreline and over clear coral reefs . May form large schools in beaches, mainly over Thalassia beds . Often in polluted areas .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 23. Tooth plate on tongue and tooth plate behind it (basihyal and basibranchial tooth plates) very narrow, their width about 10 times in combined length, the basihyal tooth plate not bulging in front. Scales thin, loosely attached, easily shed. Tips of anterior dorsal fin rays dark. Reddish or orange spot behind upper end of gill . Body slender, with evenly curved upper and lower profiles .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Redear herring is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 50 m . Subtropical; 34°N - 4°N, 90°W - 52°W south of this; no Brazilian specimens in the extensive collections of the Museu de Zoologia, Sao Paulo, Brazil).
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Redear herring 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 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 348 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Redear herring 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
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alosa apicalis | Müller & Troschel | 1848 | Synonym |
| Clupea humeralis | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Harengula callolepis | Goode | 1879 | Synonym |
| Harengula maculosa | Valenciennes | 1847 | Synonym |
| Harengula sardina | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 53 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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