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Losse's herring (Herklotsichthys lossei) — Clupeidae

Losse's herring

Herklotsichthys lossei
Family: Clupeidae

The Losse's herring (Herklotsichthys lossei) is a saltwater fish of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and others

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Description

Losse's herring is a small herring relative (Clupeidae) from shallow coastal and lagoon water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, bright-silvery body with a blue-green back and large, easily shed scales. As a social schooling fish it forms shimmering swarms in the upper layer and filters zooplankton. It is important food for larger fish and seabirds. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Losse's herring?

The Losse's herring has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Losse's herring live?

The Losse's herring lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and others

How big does the Losse's herring get?

The Losse's herring grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Losse's herring dangerous to humans?

No, the Losse's 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
Losse's herring sourced
Scientific name
Herklotsichthys lossei
Family
Clupeidae
Other names
Gulf herring sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Average length (cm)
7.0 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and others 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 Herklotsichthys

More from the family Clupeidae

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