Fin's Fish Guide
The Estuarine round-herring (Gilchristella aestuaria) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 9 cm.
Southern Africa; mainly estuaries, also brackish and fresh lagoons and rivers.
Description
The estuarine round-herring is a small herring-like fish (Clupeidae) from southern Africa. The species is slender and silvery and occurs in the sea, but is found mostly in estuaries; it also lives in landlocked brackish and fresh lagoons and in rivers. It forms large schools and filters small zooplankton from the water with its fine gill rakers. It is an important prey fish for larger fishes and birds. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Estuarine round-herring?
The Estuarine round-herring has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Tolerates sea, brackish and fresh water; schooling filter-feeding prey fish of estuaries.
Where does the Estuarine round-herring live?
The Estuarine round-herring lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. Southern Africa; mainly estuaries, also brackish and fresh lagoons and rivers.
How big does the Estuarine round-herring get?
The Estuarine round-herring grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.
Is the Estuarine round-herring dangerous to humans?
No, the Estuarine round-herring is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Estuarine round-herring edible?
The Estuarine round-herring is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Clupeidae
Want the complete picture on the Estuarine round-herring?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Estuarine round-herring is one of 12,519 species in the app.