Round sardinella

Round Sardinella

The Round Sardinella (Sardinella aurita), also known as the South American Pilchard, is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Clupeidae. It is found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, and is an important species for commercial fishing.

Description

The Round Sardinella is a small, pelagic fish that typically measures between 15 and 20 cm in length. It has a streamlined body, a deeply forked tail, and a single dorsal fin. The body is covered in large, shiny scales, and the coloration varies from blue-green on the back to silver on the belly.

Distribution and Habitat

The Round Sardinella is a highly migratory species, found in both tropical and subtropical waters. It is commonly found in the Atlantic Ocean, from Morocco to South Africa, and in the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Argentina. In the Indian Ocean, it is found from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to India and Sri Lanka. In the Pacific Ocean, it is found from Japan to Australia and New Zealand.

Diet

The diet of the Round Sardinella consists mainly of plankton, but it also feeds on small crustaceans and fish larvae. It is a filter feeder, using its gill rakers to strain plankton from the water.

Reproduction

Round Sardinella are batch spawners, releasing eggs multiple times throughout the year. Spawning occurs in offshore waters, and the eggs and larvae are pelagic.

Commercial Importance

Round Sardinella is an important species for commercial fishing, particularly in West Africa, where it is a major source of protein for local populations. It is caught using purse seines and is sold fresh, frozen, or canned.

Conservation Status

The Round Sardinella is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. However, overfishing is a potential threat to the species, and management measures are needed to ensure sustainable exploitation.

See Also

• Sardinella
• Clupeidae
• Commercial fishing
• IUCN Red List

References

• FishBase. 2018. Sardinella aurita. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T20429957A50936563. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T20429957A50936563.en. Downloaded on 01 January 2022.
• FAO. 2022. Sardinella aurita. Species Fact Sheets. http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2493/en. Accessed on 01 January 2022.

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  Sardinella aurita
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  Round sardinella capture production, thousand tonnes, 1950-2022