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Clupeiformes Collection

Clupeiformes, also known as the herring family, are a group of fish that play a vital role in marine ecosystems

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Killer Whales / Orcas (Orcinus orca)

Killer Whales / Orcas (Orcinus orca)
Killer whales / Orcas (Orcinus orca) large pod including calf traveling together while foraging on large schools of Herring (Clupea harengus) in the cold waters of northern Norway, January

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) pod hunting together in herring baitball (Clupea harengus)

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) pod hunting together in herring baitball (Clupea harengus), Andenes, Andoya island, North Atlantic Ocean, Norway, April

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Museum scientists holding Oarfish specimen

Museum scientists holding Oarfish specimen
Regalecus glesne. From left to right: Graham Pellow, Colin McCarthy, Prof. Philip Rainbow, Dr. Roger Lincoln, Ollie Crimmen and Sir Neil Chalmers

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Striped marlin (Kajikia audax) hunting Sardine (Sardinops sagax) in bait ball. Magdalena Bay

Striped marlin (Kajikia audax) hunting Sardine (Sardinops sagax) in bait ball. Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) diving and hunting for herring fish (Clupea harengus)

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) diving and hunting for herring fish (Clupea harengus), Andenes, Andoya island, North Atlantic Ocean, Norway, April

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) feeding in Sardines, (Sardinops

Long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) feeding in Sardines, (Sardinops sagax) with snorkeller behind, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) feeding on Sardine (Sardinops sagax). Magdalena Bay

Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) feeding on Sardine (Sardinops sagax). Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Pacific Ocean, Mexico

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) hunting inside herring baitball (Clupea harengus), Andenes

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) hunting inside herring baitball (Clupea harengus), Andenes, Andoya island, North Atlantic Ocean, Norway, April

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) adult male surfacing at dusk surrounded by birds, who

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) adult male surfacing at dusk surrounded by birds, who watch for herrings (Clupea harengus) left after they have fed, Andenes, Andoya island, North Atlantic Ocean, Norway

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) with shoal of anchovies staying near to avoid predation

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) with shoal of anchovies staying near to avoid predation. Los Roques, Venezuela. Caribbean

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) catching an Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in Somes Sound

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) catching an Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in Somes Sound, Acadia National Park, Maine, USA. June

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Sardine bait ball (Sardinops sagax) escaping Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax)

Sardine bait ball (Sardinops sagax) escaping Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) that is attempting to feed on them. West Coast of Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. Pacific Ocean

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea) and Dentex (Dentex sp)

Leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea) and Dentex (Dentex sp. ) hunting a large school of Sardines (Sardina sp)
Leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea) and Dentex (Dentex sp.) hunting a large school of Sardines (Sardina sp.), Espiritu Santo Island, Baja California, Mexico, Sea of Cortez

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Brandt's cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) feeding on a bait ball of Sardines (Sardina sp)

Brandt's cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) feeding on a bait ball of Sardines (Sardina sp)
Brandt's cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) feeding on a bait ball of Sardines (Sardina sp.) being followed by a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), Espiritu Santo Island

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea) and Dentex (Dentex dentex)

Leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea) and Dentex (Dentex dentex) hunting a huge school of Sardines (Sardina pilchardus) in shallow water, Espiritu Santo archipelago, Sea of Cortez, Mexico

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: School of Bonito fish (Sarda sarda) attacking a school of Spanish sardines (Sardinella aurita)

School of Bonito fish (Sarda sarda) attacking a school of Spanish sardines (Sardinella aurita) formed into a tight baitball, Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) attacking a school of Spanish sardines (Sardinella aurita)

Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) attacking a school of Spanish sardines (Sardinella aurita) which are trapped at the surface, Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Three Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) hunting cooperatively to force a school of Spanish

Three Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) hunting cooperatively to force a school of Spanish sardine (Sardinella aurita) into a tight baitball and trapping them at the surface, Isla Mujeres

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) feeding on Sardine bait ball (Sardinops sagax)

California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) feeding on Sardine bait ball (Sardinops sagax). West Coast of Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. Pacific Ocean

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) feeding on Sardine bait ball (Sardinops sagax)

Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) feeding on Sardine bait ball (Sardinops sagax). West Coast of Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. Pacific Ocean

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: A massive school of millions of sardines (Sardina pilchardus), Moalboal, Cebu

A massive school of millions of sardines (Sardina pilchardus), Moalboal, Cebu, Central Visayas, Philippines

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Alewife fish (Alosa pseudoharengus), migrating up river, Northern Maine, USA. June

Alewife fish (Alosa pseudoharengus), migrating up river, Northern Maine, USA. June

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: School of Scaled herring or Scaled sardine (Harengula clupeola), entering from the

School of Scaled herring or Scaled sardine (Harengula clupeola), entering from the sea into the freshwater of the Laguna Yal Ku, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) with two Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) just caught in

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) with two Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) just caught in the Atlantic Ocean. Acadia National Park, Maine, USA. June

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Hemibrycon taeniurus, Mountain spring sardine

Hemibrycon taeniurus, Mountain spring sardine

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Three Sardines, side view

Three Sardines, side view

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Heads of raw whole sardines threaded into barbecue grill in a row, close up

Heads of raw whole sardines threaded into barbecue grill in a row, close up

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Fishes: Twaite shad (Alosa fallax), illustration

Fishes: Twaite shad (Alosa fallax), illustration
Zoology - Fishes - Clupeiformes - Twaite shad (Alosa fallax), illustration

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Fishes: Stomiiformes Sternoptychidae, Pearlsides (Maurolicus muelleri), illustration

Fishes: Stomiiformes Sternoptychidae, Pearlsides (Maurolicus muelleri), illustration
Zoology - Fishes - Stomiiformes - Sternoptychidae - Pearlsides (Maurolicus muelleri), illustration

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Close-up of clupeiformes family

Close-up of clupeiformes family
Zoology: Fish - Clupeiformes. Art work

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Fishes: Stomiiformes Stomiidae - Scaly dragonfish (Stomias boa boa), illustration

Fishes: Stomiiformes Stomiidae - Scaly dragonfish (Stomias boa boa), illustration
Zoology - Fishes - Stomiiformes - Stomiidae - Scaly dragonfish (Stomias boa boa), illustration

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Fishes: Clupeiformes, Sardinella (Sardinella aurita), illustration

Fishes: Clupeiformes, Sardinella (Sardinella aurita), illustration
Zoology - Fishes - Clupeiformes - Round Sardinella (Sardinella aurita), illustration

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Fishes: Osmeriformes Osmeridae, European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus), illustration

Fishes: Osmeriformes Osmeridae, European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus), illustration
Zoology - Fishes - Osmeriformes - Osmeridae - European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus), illustration

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Fishes: Clupeiformes Gonostomatidae (Bristlemouths) Cyclothone pygmaea

Fishes: Clupeiformes Gonostomatidae (Bristlemouths) Cyclothone pygmaea, Garrick (Cyclothone braueri ) Biology: Zoology

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Herring illustration

Herring illustration

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Clupea finta, twaite shad

Clupea finta, twaite shad
Page 68 by W Houghton from his British Freshwater Fishes, 1879

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Engraulis ringens, Peruvian anchoveta

Engraulis ringens, Peruvian anchoveta
Peruvian anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) specimens brought back by Charles Darwin on his voyage on HMS Beagle

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Scientists at play, 1899

Scientists at play, 1899
An attendant in the Botany Library, Robert Hugh Bunting captured his colleagues at play in this humorous private photograph of Museum life taken in 1899

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Sardina pilchardus, European pilchard

Sardina pilchardus, European pilchard
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Clupea alosa, shad

Clupea alosa, shad
Plate 57 by Edward Donovan from his British Fishes, Vol 1, 1802

Background imageClupeiformes Collection: Larus argentatus, herring gull

Larus argentatus, herring gull
Plate 291 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1834-35), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London



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Clupeiformes, also known as the herring family, are a group of fish that play a vital role in marine ecosystems. These small, silvery fish are preyed upon by various predators, leading to some incredible hunting scenes. In the vast ocean waters, killer whales or orcas (Orcinus orca) form pods and work together to hunt down their favorite meal - herring baitballs (Clupea harengus). With remarkable teamwork and intelligence, these apex predators create an awe-inspiring spectacle as they surround and devour their prey. Not only killer whales have developed unique hunting techniques. Leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea) and Dentex (Dentex sp. ) join forces to take on large schools of sardines (Sardina sp. ). This breathtaking display can be witnessed near Espiritu Santo Island in Baja California, Mexico's Sea of Cortez. Brandt's cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) takes advantage of the abundance provided by bait balls of sardines. As it feeds on these silver shoals, it attracts the attention of a curious California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), creating a captivating scene off Espiritu Santo Island. Magdalena Bay is another location where nature showcases its wonders. Striped marlin (Kajikia audax) exhibit their impressive hunting skills as they chase after sardines (Sardinops sagax), forming mesmerizing bait balls that attract both predator and prey alike. The prowess of killer whales extends beyond herring baitballs; they also dive deep into the ocean depths in search for herring fish. Witnessing these majestic creatures maneuver through the water with precision is truly extraordinary. Long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) find sustenance amidst schools of Sardinops species. Their synchronized feeding patterns create a harmonious display of nature's beauty.