The European Pilchard, scientifically known as Sardina pilchardus, is a small, pelagic fish found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. It is a commercially important species, playing a vital role in the marine ecosystem.
Description & Characteristics
The European Pilchard is a silvery fish with a streamlined body, reaching a maximum size of 27.5 cm. It possesses a distinctive dark spot behind the gill cover and a forked tail. The species has a lifespan of approximately 10 years.
Habitat and Occurrence
The European Pilchard is a highly mobile species, inhabiting the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zones of the ocean, extending from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at around 200 m water depth. These areas are collectively known as the neritic zone. They are commonly found in coastal waters and can form large schools, often migrating in search of food and spawning grounds.
Taxonomy
The European Pilchard, Sardina pilchardus, belongs to the family Clupeidae, which includes a variety of herring-like fish. This family is categorized under the Order Clupeiformes, a diverse group of ray-finned fishes. The European Pilchard, along with other members of its family, belongs to the Class Teleostei, the most diverse group of bony fishes.
Feeding
The European Pilchard is an opportunistic feeder, consuming a wide variety of prey items. Its diet primarily consists of zooplankton, including copepods, mysids, and phytoplankton, but it also consumes smaller fish larvae, invertebrates, and various other organisms like snails, worms, and clams. This diverse diet contributes to its ecological importance as a crucial link in the food chain.
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