Slivery blueish-gray or blackish dorsally with a faint black spot immediately behind gills. May have faint dark streaking along its flank. Moderately deep bodied with a forked tail. No notch on its upturned mouth.
Average Maximum Size:
23 cm (9 in)
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Scaled Sardine can be distinguished from the similarly shaped Atlantic Thread Herring by its lack of an elongated trailing dorsal fin ray and lack of black tips on its dorsal and caudal fins.
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
Range:
New Jersey to Brazil
Habitat:
In estuaries and bays, over mud and sandy bottoms.
