Shad & Herring
Capelin
Mallotus villosus
SaltwaterOsmeridaeLeast Concern
About
Capelin are small, slender fish belonging to the smelt family. They are known for their remarkable spawning behavior, where they migrate to beaches in massive numbers to reproduce, often burying themselves in the sand.
- Average size
- 15-20 cm (6-8 inches)
- Colors
- Silvery sides, darker back, and a pale belly. Males develop breeding tubercles and elongated anal fins during spawning season.
- Diet
- Plankton, krill, and other small crustaceans.
- Region
- Primarily found in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans; not typically found in US waters except for the northernmost parts of Alaska.