Fin's Fish Guide
The Day smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Osmeridae that grows up to 31 cm.
Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; coastal waters and sandy beaches.
Description
The surf smelt is a smelt (Osmeridae) from the eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a slender, silvery body with an adipose fin, characteristic of smelts. It lives in schools in coastal waters and spawns on sandy beaches in the surf zone, where the eggs are laid among the sand grains. At sea it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other plankton. It is an important prey fish and is also fished by people. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Day smelt?
The Day smelt has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Adipose fin; spawns between the sand grains on beaches in the surf zone.
Where does the Day smelt live?
The Day smelt lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; coastal waters and sandy beaches.
How big does the Day smelt get?
The Day smelt grows to a maximum of about 31 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.
Is the Day smelt dangerous to humans?
No, the Day smelt is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Day smelt edible?
Yes, the Day smelt is commonly eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Hypomesus
More from the family Osmeridae
Want the complete picture on the Day smelt?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Day smelt is one of 12,519 species in the app.