Biology

Occurs in coastal areas, but also in lagoons and off river mouths, perhaps entering water of lowered salinity (Ref. 12225). In Southwestern Atlantic preys on proportionally large clupeoid fishes and caridean shrimps. Fishes are distinctively folded in the stomachs of this herring, in about 90% of the cases with their heads and tails pointing head-wards the predator. This herring stands out as the only small-sized species among the predaceous fish-eating clupeiforms. The well developed canine-like teeth are likely related to a piscivorous diet and may play a role in the folding and orientation of fish during prey handling and swallowing (Ref. 51383). Spawns during the northern winter (Ref. 37032).