| Scaled sardine | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Clupeiformes |
| Family: | Clupeidae |
| Genus: | Harengula |
| Species: | H. jaguana |
| Binomial name | |
| Harengula jaguana Poey, 1865 |
|
The scaled sardine, Harengula jaguana, is a herring-like fish in the family Clupeidae. It is native to coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from the Gulf of Mexico down to Brazil.
It has a solid back with dark streaks and usually a small dark spot at the upper edge of the operculum and sometimes one located at the shoulder. It grows up to 18 inches (46 cm) in length.
Scaled sardines are often referred to by anglers as greenbacks. They can usually be caught with strings of wire loops (Cast Nets).