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European pilchard (sardine)

Europäische Sardine

Scientific name: Sardina pilchardus

NativeMarine

Behavior

A pelagic shoaling fish, staying at 25-55 m by day and rising to 10-35 m at night. Feeds on planktonic crustaceans.

Features

Laterally compressed, blue-green back, silvery flanks and belly. Averages just over 20 cm long. Can live up to 10 years.

Distribution

Found in the northeast Atlantic from Norway/southern Sweden to Senegal. In Germany mainly in the North Sea.