COMMON MARINE FISHES 



45 



TOP SMELT 

 Atherinops affinis 



Relationship: A member of the silverside family, Atherinidae, which also 

 includes the grunion and jack smelt. Several subspecies are recognized. Not a true smelt. 



Distinguishing Characters: The absence of a lateral line; the silvery stripe 

 along the side ; the two separate dorsal fins, the first composed of weak spines, the 

 second of rays ; the single spine at the front of the anal fin ; the tip of the upper jaw 

 projecting very slightly over the tip of the lower ; the forked teeth set in a single band 

 in the jaws (separating it from the jack smelt and the grunion) ; the front of the first 

 dorsal fin being over the vent. Length to about 12 inches. Color: Blue-gray to clear 

 green above, becoming silvery below ; a bright silver band bordered above with bright 

 blue or purple extends the length of the body. 



Distribution: Northern Oi'egon south at least to Magdalena Bay, Lower Cali- 

 fornia. A schooling fish, often in company with jack smelt. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year. 



Importance: A minor commercial species, it forms about 15 percent of the 

 state-wide and 40 percent of the San Francisco "smelt" catch according to a survey 

 made in 1935. 



Fishing Gear: Lampara nets, gill nets, circle gill nets. Sport, with baited 

 hooks or with snag lines after heavy chumming. 



Unauthorized Names: Smelt, littje smelt, least smelt, rainbow smelt, bay smelt. 



