Fin's Fish Guide
The Little-eye Herring (Jenkinsia majua) is a saltwater fish of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 6 cm.
Description
The little-eye herring is a tiny herring-like fish of the family Clupeidae (round herrings) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to only about 5.5 cm and has a slender, translucent body with a conspicuous shining silver lateral stripe. It forms dense schools in shallow inshore coastal waters, often over sand and near reefs. As a plankton feeder it feeds on small zooplankton. As an extremely abundant prey fish it is an important link in the coastal food web for numerous predatory fishes and seabirds. Owing to its small size the species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Little-eye Herring?
The Little-eye Herring has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Tiny, translucent with a shiny silver longitudinal stripe; abundant coastal prey fish.
Where does the Little-eye Herring live?
The Little-eye Herring lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; shallow inshore coastal waters.
How big does the Little-eye Herring get?
The Little-eye Herring grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.
Is the Little-eye Herring dangerous to humans?
No, the Little-eye Herring is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Little-eye Herring edible?
The Little-eye Herring is rarely eaten.
Want the complete picture on the Little-eye Herring?
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Jenkinsia
More from the family Clupeidae
Want the complete picture on the Little-eye Herring?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Little-eye Herring is one of 12,519 species in the app.