Smelts

Smelt refers to a group of small, silvery forage fishes in the family Osmeridae, within the order Osmeriformes. The common name encompasses several species across several genera, notably Osmerus, Hypomesus, and Mallotus. Smelt are found in temperate waters of the northern hemisphere, including coastal and estuarine zones of the North Atlantic and North Pacific; many species are anadromous, migrating from saltwater to freshwater to spawn, while others spend their lives entirely in freshwater or brackish habitats.

Physically, smelt are small, slender fishes with an elongated body and a silvery hue. They typically have two dorsal fins and a pronounced lateral line. Their diet consists mainly of zooplankton, small crustaceans, and insect larvae, and they serve as important prey for larger fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.

Reproduction occurs in cooler, well-oxygenated waters, often in streams or nearshore areas in spring. Eggs are adhesive and laid on gravel, vegetation, or submerged objects; larvae hatch and drift with currents.

Economically, several smelt species support commercial and recreational fisheries, notably capelin (Mallotus villosus) and various North American smelts. In some regions, smelt runs are culturally and ecologically significant. Conservation concerns vary by species; the delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is endangered in California, and other populations face pressures from habitat loss, damming, climate change, and overfishing.