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Graceful herring (Lile gracilis) — Clupeidae

Graceful herring

Lile gracilis
Family: Clupeidae

The Graceful herring (Lile gracilis) is a saltwater fish of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico

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Description

The graceful herring is a small herring relative (Clupeidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of the eastern Pacific, off Central America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, bright-silvery body with a keeled belly and large eyes. As an open-water schooling fish it swims in dense groups near the coast and filters small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Graceful herring?

The Graceful herring has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Graceful herring live?

The Graceful herring lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. North America: Mexico

How big does the Graceful herring get?

The Graceful herring grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Graceful herring dangerous to humans?

No, the Graceful herring is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Graceful herring sourced
Scientific name
Lile gracilis
Family
Clupeidae
Other names
Graceful piquitinga verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Lile

More from the family Clupeidae

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