Round Sardinella

Sicher

Sardinella aurita

Auch bekannt als: Round Sardine, Spanish Sardine, Gilt Sardine, European Pilchard (sometimes confused), Sardina, Alacha

Haben Sie ein Foto? Bestimmen Sie Fische sofort mit der Fishby-App.

Beschreibung

Sardinella aurita, commonly known as the Round Sardinella, is a pelagic schooling fish belonging to the family Clupeidae. It is a commercially important species, forming large schools in coastal and offshore waters. Its body is elongated and cylindrical, reflecting its common name. It is a fast-swimming filter feeder, playing a crucial role in marine food webs.

Körperliche Merkmale

Körperform: elongated
Färbung: Dorsal side is typically dark blue to greenish-blue, fading to silvery flanks and a white belly. A faint golden spot may be present behind the gill cover, and a series of small, dark spots may run along the flanks, especially in younger individuals, though these often fade with age.
Schuppentyp: cycloid
Maulstellung: terminal
Besondere Merkmale: Elongated, cylindrical body shape, less compressed than other sardine species., A distinct, dark spot often present at the posterior margin of the gill cover., Absence of radiating striae on the operculum (gill cover)., Last two anal fin rays are elongated., Pectoral fins are relatively long, reaching beyond the origin of the dorsal fin.
Rückenflosse: Single, relatively short dorsal fin located mid-body, typically with 17-20 soft rays.
Schwanzflosse: Deeply forked caudal fin, symmetrical.
Brustflosse: Long, slender pectoral fins, typically with 15-17 rays.
Auffällige Flossen: Anal fin is short, located posterior to the dorsal fin, with 17-20 soft rays, the last two of which are noticeably elongated.

Bestimmungstipps

Body Shape

Look for the distinctly rounded, cylindrical body, which is less flattened than other sardine species like Sardina pilchardus.

Gill Cover Spot

A small, dark spot is often visible at the upper posterior margin of the operculum (gill cover).

Anal Fin Rays

Observe the last two rays of the anal fin; they are typically elongated and appear longer than the preceding rays.

Pectoral Fin Length

The pectoral fins are relatively long, often extending past the origin of the dorsal fin when laid flat against the body.

Absence of Opercular Striae

Unlike some similar species, the operculum of Sardinella aurita lacks distinct radiating ridges or striae.

Lebensraum

Wassertyp: saltwater
Tiefe: Typically found in coastal pelagic waters, from the surface down to about 350 meters (1,150 feet), but most commonly in the upper 100 meters.
Umgebung: Neritic, pelagic-oceanic. Forms large, dense schools in open water, often near the surface, over continental shelves and slopes. Prefers warm temperate to tropical waters.
Geografische Verbreitung: Widespread in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and along the coasts of West Africa (from Angola to Mauritania), and the eastern Atlantic from the British Isles south to Angola. Also found in the western Atlantic from Massachusetts, USA, south to Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Aquarieninformationen

Pflegeaufwand: expert
Temperament: peaceful
Ernährung: filter_feeder
Mindestbeckengröße: Not suitable for home aquaria; requires very large public aquarium setups due to schooling behavior and size.
Temperatur: 18-28°C (64-82°F)
pH-Wert: 8.1-8.4
Härte: High (marine salinity)
Verträglichkeit: Only with other large, peaceful pelagic species in very large, specialized public aquariums. Not compatible with typical home aquarium setups.
Besondere Anforderungen: Requires immense tank volume, strong water flow, specialized filtration for planktonic food, and a large school of its own kind to thrive. Extremely difficult to maintain in captivity.

Informationen zum Wildbestand

Erhaltungszustand: least concern
Saisonalität: Spawning seasons vary geographically, but generally occurs in warmer months. Availability for fisheries can be seasonal, with peak catches often in spring and summer in temperate regions, and year-round in tropical areas.
Marktpreis: Varies significantly by region and season, generally a low to moderate-priced commodity fish.
Kommerzielle Bedeutung: high
Geschmack: Mild, oily, distinct 'sardine' flavor.
Textur: Soft, flaky, delicate.
Zubereitungsarten: Grilled, Fried, Baked, Smoked, Canned (in oil or sauce), Marinated
Nährwert: Excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, calcium, and protein. Considered a very healthy food choice.

Wichtige Fakten

Schooling Behaviorbehavior

Sardinella aurita forms immense, dense schools, sometimes extending for kilometers, which is a key defense mechanism against predators and aids in feeding and reproduction.

Ecological Importanceinteresting

As a primary consumer feeding on plankton, S. aurita is a critical link in marine food webs, transferring energy from lower trophic levels to higher predators, including larger fish, marine mammals, and seabirds.

Rapid Growthbehavior

This species exhibits relatively fast growth, reaching sexual maturity within 1-2 years, which contributes to its resilience under fishing pressure.

Fisheries Targetinteresting

Sardinella aurita is one of the most important small pelagic fish species globally, supporting significant commercial fisheries in many parts of its range, particularly in the Mediterranean and West Africa.

Migration Patternsbehavior

Many populations undertake seasonal migrations, often moving to shallower, warmer waters for spawning and feeding, and to deeper, cooler waters during other periods.

Sicherheitsinformationen

Sicher

Sicherheitsstufe: safe
Giftig: Nein
Essbarkeit: edible
Hinweise zum Umgang: No specific handling precautions are required beyond standard fish handling practices. They are not venomous and do not possess sharp spines that pose a significant threat. Their scales can be easily dislodged.

Wissenschaftliche Klassifikation

Reich: Animalia
Stamm: Chordata
Klasse: Actinopterygii
Ordnung: Clupeiformes
Familie: Clupeidae
Gattung: Sardinella
Art: Sardinella aurita