Sardinella
Sardinella is a genus of fish in the family Dorosomatidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are abundant in warmer waters of the tropical and subtropical oceans. Adults are generally coastal, schooling, marine fish but juveniles are often found in lagoons and estuaries. These species are distinguished by their ranges and by specific body features, but they are often confused with one another. Fish of the genus have seven to 14 striped markings along the scales of the top of the head. The paddle-shaped supramaxilla bones are characteristic; they separate Sardinella from other genera and their shapes help distinguish species. They have paired predorsal scales and enlarged fin rays.
Species
There are currently 27 recognized species in this genus:Sardinella albella Sardinella alcyone Hata & Motomura, 2019 Sardinella atricauda Sardinella aurita Valenciennes, 1847 Sardinella brachysoma Bleeker, 1852 Sardinella brasiliensis Sardinella dayi Regan, 1917 Sardinella electra Hata & Motomura, 2019 Sardinella fijiense Sardinella fimbriata Sardinella gibbosa Sardinella goni Stern, Rinkevich & Goren, 2016 Sardinella hualiensis Sardinella jussieu Sardinella lemuru Bleeker, 1853 Sardinella longiceps Valenciennes, 1847 Sardinella maderensis Sardinella marquesensis Berry & Whitehead, 1968 Sardinella melanura Sardinella neglecta Wongratana, 1983 Sardinella pacifica Hata & Motomura, 2019 Sardinella richardsoni Wongratana, 1983 Sardinella rouxi Sardinella sindensis Sardinella tawilis Sardinella ventura Hata & Motomura, 2021