Least ConcernSalmon
Salmo salar
One of the 2 sardines on WAnimals
Bony fish · Clupeiformes · Clupeidae
Sardina pilchardus
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk.
Its name comes from the island of Sardinia, where it was historically especially abundant. It is a key species at the middle of the food web, essential food for tuna, marine mammals and seabirds.
Weight
20 g – 100 g
Size
20 cm – 27.5 cm
Life expectancy
10 years
Diet
Omnivore
Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.
Activity
Irregular activity
Active at irregular times, by day or night depending on circumstances.
Social structure
School
Gathers in coordinated schools, typical of fish.
Sighting difficulty
Easy
Sources consulted: Biology Insights; ResearchGate (Aegean growth study); Frontiers in Marine Science (Central Mediterranean study); FishBase; Fishipedia; Journal of Fish Biology (Wiley)
Best time: From spring to autumn in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, when the shoals move inshore.
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented — showing 20 of 132.
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Pilchard — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Based on what we already know about pilchard.
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The pins mark the parks and dive sites where its presence is documented.
