Herrings: Clupeiformes

Nearly all herrings live in open water. Four-fifths of all species live in saltwater habitats ranging from near-shore zones to nearly 100 miles (161 kilometers) offshore. Many herrings swim near the surface at night but move to deeper waters during the day. Some herrings live in inland waters or move inland to spawn, or release eggs. These species live in bays; estuaries (EHS-chew-air-eez), which is where a river meets the sea; marshes; rivers; and freshwater streams. Landlocked populations have formed as the fishes have moved into lakes or rivers and become trapped between dams.