SARDINE

[REEFMAN]

[Lichia amia]

I heard that Sardine ( Pilchard ) is about 10 years old when it reaches a lenght of +/- 20cm ,the size we buy for bait. Which I found interisting for such a small fish to grow so slow and live that long. Can any body confirm this , cant seam to find the info on the "net "

[PH]

Thanks for the reminder about the Database Reefz!

[TUNAMAN]

PH on the other thread my focus was on Sardine vs Red Eye and I did not really consider Pilchard. We get a lot of Red Eye offshore and once you find them we catch full strings in one go (5 or 6) per drop. They are a great bait but impossible to keep live. Only way to swim them live is to pin them immediately. They die within minutes of being in a well.

[PH]

PH on the other thread my focus was on Sardine vs Red Eye and I did not really consider Pilchard. We get a lot of Red Eye offshore and once you find them we catch full strings in one go (5 or 6) per drop. They are a great bait but impossible to keep live. Only way to swim them live is to pin them immediately. They die within minutes of being in a well.

Thanks, it sounds like red eye is a different species.

[REEFMAN]

The Pilchard or Sardine is Sardinops sagax

The "Redeye Sardine" as it is known commonly, has a proper name of Redeye Roundherring - Etrumeus whiteadi, a completely different species.

[PH]

The Pilchard or Sardine is Sardinops sagax

The "Redeye Sardine" as it is known commonly, has a proper name of Redeye Roundherring - Etrumeus whiteadi, a completely different species.

Thanks, Reefz

[WalkersKiller]

I heard that Sardine ( Pilchard ) is about 10 years old when it reaches a lenght of +/- 20cm ,the size we buy for bait. Which I found interisting for such a small fish to grow so slow and live that long. Can any body confirm this , cant seam to find the info on the "net "

Craig if I can remember right... The Sardine can live up to 13 years but often dont get there, they reach their full length or close to it after 4 years...

[benniejordaan]

Just interesting:
Source: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/species/sardine.htm

Life span: Sardines may live as long as 14 years, but 90% of the population consists of fish younger than six years of age.
Food: Sardines eat plankton (tiny floating plants and animals).
Growth rate: Fast - males and females grow at equal rates, and attain half of their maximum expected length by their first birthday. They reach 90% of their maximum length by age 4.
Maximum size: Up to 1.3 feet, but seldom longer than 9 inches.
Reaches reproductive maturity: The size and age of sardine when they mature are dependent on location, temperature, and the size of the population. For example, at relatively low population levels, sardine appear to be fully mature at age 1, but at high levels, only some of the two-year-olds are mature.

[Lichia amia]

Just interesting:
Source: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/species/sardine.htm

Life span: Sardines may live as long as 14 years, but 90% of the population consists of fish younger than six years of age.
Food: Sardines eat plankton (tiny floating plants and animals).
Growth rate: Fast - males and females grow at equal rates, and attain half of their maximum expected length by their first birthday. They reach 90% of their maximum length by age 4.
Maximum size: Up to 1.3 feet, but seldom longer than 9 inches.
Reaches reproductive maturity: The size and age of sardine when they mature are dependent on location, temperature, and the size of the population. For example, at relatively low population levels, sardine appear to be fully mature at age 1, but at high levels, only some of the two-year-olds are mature.

Thanks Mr. Jordaan you are a scholar and a gentlemen !!! 

[REEFMAN]

Click to enlarge...