Family Osmeridae

Smelts

Selected Characters: Body silvery; adipose fin present; lateral line present, but may be incomplete; pelvic axillary process absent.

Smelts are marine, anadromous or freshwater fishes of the Northern Hemisphere. Many smelts are schooling fishes, and they feed on invertebrates and fishes. Some species are commercially harvested, and many are important food sources for larger fishes and other animals. Certain smelts are sometimes described as having a cucumber-like smell. There are 13 species of smelt, with five found in Puget Sound. Our anadromous smelts, the Longfin Smelt and the Eulachon, spawn in rivers. The other three smelts in Puget Sound are strictly marine, and spawn on sandy beaches. Most smelts survive spawning, but the Eulachon does not. This family is fairly common in the Sound.

Puget Sound Species

Allosmerus elongatus Whitebait Smelt

Hypomesus pretiosus Surf Smelt

Mallotus villosus Capelin

Spirinchus thaleichthys Longfin Smelt

Thaleichthys pacificus Eulachon