Baltic Herring

(Clupea harengus membras), a Baltic subspecies of the Atlantic herring. The Baltic herring reaches 20 cm in length and weighs 25–50 g. The fish becomes sexually mature at two or three years of age. It is a pelagic school fish that feeds on small crustaceans. The Baltic herring forms schools that are confined to certain areas of the sea and to bays. There are “seasonal” races that differ in spawning times. The spring race reproduces in May or June at depths to 5–7 m; the eggs are benthic. The autumn race is small in number and reproduces far offshore in August or September. The Baltic herring is commercially valuable. It is pickled, smoked, and canned in the same manner as sprats.