Which clupeiform fish families are entirely marine?

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clupeiform A young common herring (*Clupea harengus*).

Within the order Clupeiformes, the classification of species based on salinity is diverse, as the group includes marine, anadromous, and freshwater species.1

Regarding the families and subfamilies within this order, the following are identified as being entirely marine:

Chirocentridae (wolf herrings)1
Dussumieriinae (a subfamily of round herrings)1
Clupeinae (a subfamily of typical herrings)1

While members of the family Engraulidae (anchovies) are found in both brackish and marine environments, other groups such as the Denticipitidae and the subfamily Pellonulinae are restricted to freshwater habitats. Furthermore, groups like the Alosinae (shads and alewives), Dorosomatinae (gizzard shads), and some members of the Pristigasteridae family exhibit a broader range, inhabiting anadromous, freshwater, brackish, or marine waters.1