Herring

Herring is a marine fish that belongs to the family Clupeidae. They inhabit temperate waters of Pacific and Atlantic oceans and represent 90% of herrings that are used in human diet. 

Herrings are known as the “silver of the sea” due to silver color of the body and highly appreciated meat (which ensures profitable fish trade). Upper part of the body is bluish, and their bottom side is pale. Specific coloration of the body ensures camouflage in the water.

Females release from 20 000 to 40 000 eggs into the water. They will be fertilized with sperm cells released by males. Fertilized eggs are small (0.039 to 0.055 inches), they fall to the bottom of the sea and attach to the stones and sea vegetation. Incubation time lasts from 11 to 40 days, depending on the temperature (higher temperature accelerates development).