savoieju · CC BY 4.0 · Image source

Quick facts

SizeUp to 45 cm
WeightUp to 1.1 kg
LifespanUp to 25 years
DepthUp to 364 m
Water typeMarine
Best timeVaries with seasonal migrations.

About Atlantic Herring

Atlantic herring is a pelagic schooling fish with a long history as an important commercial species in Iceland.

Characteristics

  • Common in Iceland
  • Native species
  • Commercial species

Habitat

Pelagic and coastal waters.

Diet

Zooplankton.

Spawning and reproduction

Period

Varies between populations

Reproduction

Spawns on coarse sand, gravel or hard seabed. The adhesive eggs attach to the substrate.

Distribution around Iceland

A common pelagic species in Icelandic waters.
SourceLast verified: 09/09/2026