(Bergen Aquarium / 12.27.2004)

Phylum: Chordata

Superclass: Gnathostomata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Clupeiformes

 

Norwegian: sildefisker

The silvery colored herrings (Clupeidae) and anchovies (Engruaulidae) include several species, where the North Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) are perhaps best known. They often appear in large shoals which contributes to the large commercial interest.

The ventral fin of herrings is usually positioned well behind the breast fin. The tail fin is deeply forked.