 The smelt family
(Osmeridae) is an important group of forage fish for seabirds and predatory fish.
One reason they are so important to seabirds is because their flesh is oily and high in
fat. The high fat content helps seabirds stay warm on the cold seas. Pictured here is a
longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys, which means “rich fish”). Other
smelts include capelin and eulachon, both also known as “candlefish”. Candlefish
were important to native Alaskans, who would dry the fish whole and burn their oily bodies
as you would burn a candle! |