Diet

• A plankton-feeding filter feeder that consumes mainly zooplankton, particularly copepods and other small planktonic crustaceans. Phytoplankton and diatoms also form an important part of the diet, especially in larger fish.

Range

• The Pacific Sardine is widespread in the Pacific, with the eastern Pacific population ranging from Alaska and British Columbia southward through California and the Gulf of California to Chile. It occurs along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including the Gulf of California and Pacific coastal waters near Guerrero.

Habitat

• It is a pelagic-neritic species inhabiting coastal waters and the open water above the continental shelf, from the surface to about 200 m. It forms very large schools, often near the surface, particularly where plankton is abundant.

Description

• The Pacific Sardine has an elongated, cylindrical body, blue-green back, silvery sides and a white belly. Several series of scattered dark spots occur along the upper sides. The lower portion of the gill cover has conspicuous oblique radiating bony striae, a useful feature for distinguishing it from other local clupeids. The belly bears a ridge of keeled scales, and the dorsal fin is positioned approximately midway along the body. It can reach about 41 cm, although most individuals are considerably smaller.