Fin's Fish Guide
The Aol (Spratelloides delicatulus) is a saltwater fish of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 7 cm.
Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the western and central Pacific.
Description
The delicate round herring is a small herring-like fish of the family Clupeidae widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific. The species has a slender, silvery body with a bluish back and a shining lateral band, and reaches only about 7 cm. It is a schooling fish occurring in large numbers in clear coastal waters, lagoons and along reef margins, where it feeds near the surface on plankton. The species is of modest commercial importance: it is marketed fresh or salted-dried and is widely used as live bait for the tuna fishery.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Aol?
The Aol has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Forms large shoals in clear coastal waters; important as a bait fish for the tuna fishery.
Where does the Aol live?
The Aol lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the western and central Pacific.
How big does the Aol get?
The Aol grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.
Is the Aol dangerous to humans?
No, the Aol is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Aol edible?
The Aol is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Aol and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Spratelloides
More from the family Clupeidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Aol is one of 12,519 species in the app.