Common Name
Rainbow Smelt
Year Described
Mitchill, 1814
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 10-11
Anal Fin: 15-17
Pectoral Fin: 11-12
Pelvic Fin: 8
Gill Rakers: 25-35
Lateral Line Scales: 65-72 (13-30 pored scales)
Vertebrae: 60-68
Body elongate and cylindrical. Mouth terminal. Eye large. Dorsal fin over pelvic fin origin. Pelvic fin not 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. Caudal fin with dusky edge. Rest of fins transparent.
Size
Maximum size to 35cm SL.
Habitat
Inshore marine, and frequently in freshwater and in brackish estuaries. Forms large schools.
Range Map
Range
Northern Atlantic: Labrador to Delaware
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.