Range and Identity
Harengula jaguana ranges from the northeastern United States and Bermuda through Florida, the Gulf and Caribbean toward southern Brazil. It can be confused with Harengula clupeola where the species overlap. A familiar baitfish name alone is insufficient to transfer a record between them.
Habitat and Behavior
Schools occur over mud and sand, frequently close to brackish or hypersaline estuaries. This range of salinity settings does not mean every population has the same seasonal movement. Conditions at an estuary mouth can also differ from those farther inside the system.
Food and Life History
The upper reference is 21.2 centimeters total length. A common-size figure in the source uses standard length, so it is not directly equivalent. A Brazilian juvenile study documented seasonal arrival and departure, but that local timing is not assigned to all Atlantic populations.
Field Note
Include photographs and collection locality when distinguishing similar sardines. Reliable species identification is more valuable than assuming every school used as bait belongs to the same fish.
All Lakes With Scaled Sardine
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Scaled Sardine records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.