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herring
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Illustration of an Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus harengus), showing a slender, silvery fish with a forked tail and single dorsal fin. common herring
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Illustration of an Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus harengus), showing a slender, silvery fish with a forked tail and single dorsal fin.
Atlantic herring Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus harengus).

herring

fish
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herring, species of slab-sided northern fish belonging to the family Clupeidae (order Clupeiformes). The name herring refers to either the Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus harengus) or the Pacific herring (C. harengus pallasii); although once considered separate species, they are now believed to be only subspecifically distinct. Herrings are small-headed, streamlined, beautifully coloured fish with silvery iridescent sides and deep blue, metallic-hued backs. Adults range from 20 to 38 centimetres (8 to 15 inches) in length....

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