Common Name
Capelin
Year Described
Müller, 1776
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 12-14
Anal Fin: 17-22
Pectoral Fin: 18-20
Pelvic Fin: 8
Gill Rakers: 33-44
Lateral Line Scales: 170-220
Vertebrae: 64-70
Body elongate and cylindrical. Mouth terminal. Eye large. Dorsal fin over pelvic fin origin. Pelvic fin expanded. Adipose fin present. Pectoral fin low on side. Caudal fin forked.
Color
Gray to olive dorsally, grading to white on the belly. A bright silvery stripe on the side. Fins transparent to yellowish.
Size
Maximum size to 20cm SL.
Habitat
Inshore marine, often in brackish and entering freshwater. Forms large schools. Spawning individuals occur closer inshore and in estuaries.
Range Map
Range
Greenland to Canada and the Gulf of Maine. Also Hudson Bay.
References
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2014. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, (02/2014)
Whitehead, P.J.P. , M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J.G. Nielsen and E. Tortonese. 1986. Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Vol. I-III. UNESCO. Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. http://species-identification.org.