Araucanian Herring

A small, schooling marine fish found off the coast of central Chile, it is rarely encountered by casual observers except as part of dense baitfish shoals visible from boats or shore when pursued by seabirds, dolphins or larger predatory fish. Surface commotion such as diving cormorants, gulls or breaching sea lions is often the clearest sign of a shoal nearby, particularly over the productive upwelling waters it favours. There is no reliable way to view individuals directly underwater without specialised access.