What is Clupeiformes?
[[File:Herring2.jpg|thumb|[[Atlantic herring]], ''Clupea harengus'']] '''Clupeiformes''' is an order of [[ray-finned fish]] that includes the [[Clupeidae|herring family Clupeidae]], and the [[Anchovy|anchovy family Engraulidae]]. The group includes many of the most important [[Fish|forage]] and [[Fish as food|food fish]]. They are [[Physostome|physostomes]]. == Description == Clupeiformes are slightly slender in appearance. Some of them are deep-bodied, like the genus ''[[Pellona]]''. While most of the Clupeiformes live in [[Ocean|oceans]], others are native to [[Lake|freshwater lakes]]. == Classification == The order includes about 405 species in 11 families: * Order '''Clupeiformes''' ** Suborder Denticipitoidei *** Family [[Denticle herring|Denticipitidae]] (denticle herring) ** Suborder Clupeoidei *** Family [[Anchovy|Engraulidae]] (anchovies) **** Subfamily [[Coiliinae]] **** Subfamily [[Engraulinae]] *** Family [[Spratelloididae]] *** Family [[Pristigasteridae]] (longfin herrings) **** Subfamily [[Pristigasterinae]] **** Subfamily [[Pelloninae]] *** Family [[Wolf herring|Chirocentridae]] (wolf herrings) *** Family [[Dussumieriidae]] (round herrings) *** Family [[Clupeidae]] (herrings) *** Family [[Ehiravidae]] *** Family [[Alosidae]] (shads, sardines and menhadens) *** Family [[Dorosomatidae]] == Species == === Atlantic herring === {{main|Atlantic herring}} [[File:Dorab wolf-herring.png|thumb|[[Dorab wolf-herring]]]] The '''Atlantic herring''' (''Clupea harengus'') is a [[herring]] in the family [[Clupeidae]]. === Denticle herring === The '''denticle herring''' (''Denticeps clupeoides'') is a small species of [[Actinopterygii|ray-finned fish]] found only in the rivers of [[Benin]], [[Nigeria]], and western [[Cameroon]]. === Rainbow sardine === The '''rainbow sardine''' (''Dussumieria acuta''), also known as '''common sprat''', is a species of [[Dussumieriidae|round herring]] important to [[aquaculture]]. == Related pages == * [[Otocephala]] * [[Novumbra oregonensis]] * [[Scombroclupea]] * [[Kyph