Distribution:
Northern Hemisphere in Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Habitat:
Anadromous, freshwater (coastal) and marine.
Remarks:
The family of Osmeridae are relatives of the salmons and trouts, although they are much smaller in size. Smelts are mostly small, about 20 cm or less in length, and are very abundant. Because of their size and abundance, these silvery colored fishes become the prey of larger animals. Some live in freshwater but the majority live in the sea or are anadromous. The maximum reported length is 40 cm.
This family contains three subfamiles, with 11 genera, and about 31 species.
References: Nelson 2006; Wheeler 1975