Herring, sardine, pilchard, anchovy - how are they different?
Question #100409. Asked by star_gazer.
echotolosa
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echotolosa 19 year member
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Answer has 5 votes.
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Herrings and pilchards are *Clupeiform" fish, which means they have true bone skeletons and keen hearing and travel in very large schools, to confuse predators. Sardine is not a separate type of fish, but is the name given to halfgrown pilchards, sprats or herrings (all clupeiform fish).
The anchovy belongs to the Engraulidae family and has a large lower jaw, which the others don't. All the fish look very much like each other, however.
http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/A/AnchoviesPilchardsAndSprats/AnchoviesPilchardsAndSprats/en