South American pilchard (Sardinops sagax) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The South American pilchard, usually called the Pacific sardine on the U.S. West Coast, is a small, silvery fish that swims in large schools near the surface. A row of dark spots along its sides and a shorter, smaller mouth help distinguish it from the northern anchovy.

Appearance

Appearance: It is blue-green above and silvery below, with dark spots along the side. West Coast adults can grow beyond 12 in (30 cm).

Look-alikes

Northern AnchovyEngraulis mordax

Pacific Sardine has a row of dark side spots and a shorter, smaller mouth. Northern Anchovy has a pointed snout over a much larger mouth that reaches behind the eye.

Why they get mixed upBoth are small silver schooling fish along the West Coast.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: coastal open water
offshore surface waters
Range: The Pacific Sardine subspecies occurs along the West Coast from southeastern Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. It schools near the surface and sometimes enters estuaries.
Migration: Some older adults move seasonally between southern California and waters off the Pacific Northwest.

Behavior

Diet: West Coast fish feed on tiny drifting plants and animals.
Social life: Large, dense schools travel near the ocean surface.

Life cycle

Breeding season: The West Coast subspecies releases eggs in several batches during a spawning season.

Name and classification

About the name: Some researchers treat Japanese Sardine (Sardinops melanosticta) as a separate species. South African Pilchard (Sardinops sagax ocellatus) is another subspecies.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction
Status: The Pacific Sardine stock on the U.S. West Coast is overfished, and directed commercial fishing is closed under the current federal management plan.

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