# Atlantic Herring (*Clupea harengus*) The Atlantic Herring is a small, silver fish that travels in huge groups called schools. They are an important food source for many animals! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Cold ocean waters - **Also known as:** Atlantic Herring Fish ![Atlantic Herring](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425771/objects/4697.jpg) ## Appearance The Atlantic Herring has a sleek, streamlined body with iridescent silvery sides and a darker blue or green back. Its scales are large and reflective, helping it blend into the ocean's light. It lacks any prominent spots or unique markings, appearing uniformly bright. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopteri - **Order:** Clupeiformes - **Family:** Clupeidae - **Genus:** Clupea ## Interesting facts - Atlantic Herring are one of the most commercially fished species in the world! - Their scales were once used to make shiny artificial pearls for jewelry! - They are often called 'silver of the sea' for their shimmering bodies! - They form massive schools that can stretch for many kilometers under the sea! ## Special abilities - **Swarming Shield:** Atlantic Herring can swim in giant, synchronized schools that confuse predators and make them harder to catch. - **Deep Sea Ears:** Atlantic Herring have a special connection between their swim bladder and inner ear, helping them hear distant sounds and danger. - **Energy Bank:** Atlantic Herring can store large amounts of fat, allowing them to survive long periods and fuel their migrations. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-45 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.7 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Swim Speed:** 25 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 400 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding Atlantic Herring feast on tiny ocean creatures, filtering them from the water! - **Age differences:** Young herring eat smaller plankton, while adults enjoy larger crustaceans and tiny fish larvae. - **Primary Foods:** Copepods, Krill, Larval fish, Fish eggs, Diatoms - **Foraging Method:** Filter feeding ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Atlantic Cod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-cod) (*Gadus morhua*) — A key food source for this important predatory fish. - **Eaten by:** [Humpback Whale](https://www.snappit.app/explore/humpback-whale) (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) — An essential part of their diet during feeding season. - **Eaten by:** [Northern Gannet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-gannet) (*Morus bassanus*) — Diving seabirds rely on herring for energy. - **Eaten by:** Grey Seal (*Halichoerus grypus*) — A significant prey item for these marine mammals. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Atlantic Herring? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Atlantic Herring? 20-45 cm ### How much does Atlantic Herring weigh? 0.1-0.7 kg ### How long does Atlantic Herring live? 10-15 years ### What does Atlantic Herring eat? Atlantic Herring feast on tiny ocean creatures, filtering them from the water! ### How fast can Atlantic Herring swim? 25 km/h ### Where is Atlantic Herring usually found? Cold ocean waters ### How does Atlantic Herring hunt? Filter feeding ## Where to spot - [Fort Revere Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-revere-park) — US · State Park - [OZEANEUM Stralsund](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ozeaneum-stralsund) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Aquarium ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Atlantic Herring: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-herring)