10 fish varieties like to herring
Herrings, characterized by their silver scales, are compact to medium-sized fish that are harvested or cultivated globally for consumption. Their significance extends beyond culinary preferences, as they offer numerous health advantages owing to their rich fatty acids.
Indeed, a diverse array of fish species shares similarities with herrings, be it in their physical attributes, habitat preferences, or nutritional contributions.
Here are ten types of fish like to herrings:
1. Atlantic tarpon
The Atlantic tarpon, scientifically known as Megalops atlanticus, shares similarities with herrings in terms of their long bodies adorned with silver scales, making them subjects of both food and sport fishing. Unlike herrings, Atlantic tarpons are not widely consumed as food but are highly sought after as prized game fish. Their reputation is built on their remarkable ability to leap out of the water, providing an exhilarating challenge for anglers.
Despite not belonging to the Clupeidae family, Atlantic tarpons bear a striking resemblance to many herrings, evident in their flat and elongated bodies. The silver coloring of their scales has earned them the moniker “the silver king” among enthusiasts. Both tarpons and herrings, although pursued for different reasons, share the commonality of being popular targets for fishing activities.
2. Blackspotted pufferfish
The blackspotted pufferfish and herrings share characteristics such as specialized lateral lines and being potential food sources.
While herrings, as clupeids, have lateral line systems concentrated near their heads, the blackspotted pufferfish, though not a clupeid, also possesses an unusual lateral line system uncommon in most fish.
It’s noteworthy that blackspotted pufferfish are considered a perilous delicacy, requiring meticulous preparation to ensure safety. In contrast, herrings are a more straightforward and common food source. The consumption of pufferfish, known as fugu, demands specialized training in its meticulous preparation, as mishandling can be fatal.
Unlike most fish with canal-based lateral line systems, pufferfish have neuromasts, sensory cells arranged directly on their skin in a specific pattern. Additionally, these neuromasts can be found in open grooves on the pufferfish’s skin.
3. Bala Shark
The Bala Shark, a small freshwater fish, earns its common name from its torpedo-shaped body and prominent fins. It’s important to note that, despite the shared name, sharks belong to the Chondrichthyes class, whereas bala sharks are Actinopterygians.
Adult herrings, when fully grown, typically reach an average length of 15 inches (38.1 cm). In comparison, Bala sharks are nearly as large, with an average size ranging between 12 and 13 inches (30-33 cm). Both species share a silver-scaled appearance and a diminutive size.
4. Rainbow Shiner Fish
Distinguishing themselves visibly, rainbow shiners possess translucent reddish scales, deviating from the solid silver hue of herrings.
Feeding on plankton within freshwater environs, rainbow shiners, akin to numerous herring species, exhibit diminutive dimensions, with adult averages around 2.4 inches (6.1 cm). The significance of plankton consumption resonates with herrings, emphasizing their pivotal role in various ecosystems, whether in freshwater or saltwater habitats.
5. Common Creek Chub
The Common Creek Chub, similar to herrings, is a small silvery fish often found in freshwater rivers.
Despite belonging to different families, chubs and herrings share a striking resemblance. Both exhibit a small size and a silvery hue on their scales. Numerous herring species inhabit freshwater environments like rivers. Likewise, the Common Creek Chub thrives not only in small creeks but also in leisurely flowing rivers.
Many herring species display a dark spot near their head, a characteristic also observed in the Common Creek Chub, which features a similar spot toward its tail.
6. European Pilchard
Similar to herrings, pilchards serve as forage fish, transferring energy from the plankton they consume to larger fish.
The European pilchard, residing in the Adriatic Sea, holds a crucial role in its ecosystem due to the shallowness of the waters. In this habitat, characterized by a shorter food chain, pilchards play a significant role, contributing substantial energy to the overall system.
7. Minnows
Forage fish, such as minnows and herrings, play a pivotal role as small prey fish in aquatic ecosystems. These species serve as bait, attracting a multitude of predators that derive energy and nutrients from consuming them.
Forage fish, known for their tendency to form large schools and shoals, primarily feed on plankton, harnessing the energy derived from the sun. This intricate relationship in aquatic food webs highlights the significance of forage fish in transferring energy through various layers of the ecosystem.
8. Milkfish
Unlike herring, which enjoys widespread popularity as a food source, milkfish isn’t as universally consumed, partly due to its bony structure. However, in Taiwanese cuisine, milkfish holds significant popularity.
Thriving in tropical waters, milkfish demonstrate adaptability to brackish and shallow environments, making them easily harvestable. Their prolific egg-laying, with several million eggs laid during spring, contributes to their abundance.
Despite belonging to different taxonomic families, both milkfish and herring share strikingly similar body types—elongated forms with silvery scales—and share the absence of teeth.
9. White Sardine
White sardines, also known as deep herrings or northern herrings, lack classification within the true genus of herrings, Clupea.
This nomenclatural complexity highlights the intricacies of fish categorization. While the white sardine doesn’t align with the Clupea genus, it shares resemblances with typical herrings. Despite possessing slightly more robust bodies compared to the elongated herrings, both species share a commonality in their diet, predominantly consisting of various types of plankton.
10. European Sprat
European sprats, akin to herrings, are forage fish sustaining themselves by feeding on plankton while congregating in substantial schools. Their abundance not only attracts larger fish as predators but also facilitates their straightforward capture by fishermen.
Characterized by an oblong body, European sprats typically reach lengths of three to five inches (eight to twelve centimeters). Their nutritional profile, rich in fats like herrings, contributes to their utilization as fishmeal. Resonating with herrings, sprats exhibit a distinctive slightly protruding lower jaw and shimmering silver scales.
