Hypomesus pretiosus, or surf smelt, is a marine smelt with a range from Prince William Sound, Alaska to Long Beach, California, although its population declines south of San Francisco. The surf smelt grows to be about 10 inches in southern waters, and 83⁄4 inches in northern waters near Canada. On average, surf smelt weigh about 10 to the pound.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Surf Smelt being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Osmerus mordax
- Osmerus eperlanus
- Mallotus catervarius
- Hypomesus nipponensis
- Spirinchus thaleichthys
- Atherinopsis californiensis
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Osmeriformes
- Family
- Osmeridae
- Genus
- Hypomesus
- Species
- Hypomesus pretiosus
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