White Sardine

Observations: Little is known about the longevity of these animals, but they have been known to live at least 1 year (http://www.fishbase.org/). Considering the longevity of similar species, however, maximum longevity could be significantly underestimated.

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.

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 21; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 14 - 19

Juveniles apparently entering the lower parts of rivers, but returning later to the sea.

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.

fisheries: commercial

The white sardine (Escualosa thoracata) is a species of fish in the family Clupeidae. It was described by Achille Valenciennes in 1847. It is a tropical fish of the Indo-Pacific distributed from Thailand to Indonesia and Australia. Other common names include deep herring and northern herring.

This species is amphidromous. It is known to swim at a maximum depth of 50 metres. The largest known standard length for the species is 10 cm. It is distinguished from its sister species, Escualosa elongata, the slender white sardine, by its deeper body and broader silver band. The white sardine feeds on zooplankton and phytoplankton. It is a commercially important fish, used fresh and dried.