Author: Steindachner & Kner, 1870
FBname: Pacific rainbow smelt
Comments: Inhabits brackish water of estuaries, lagoons, coastal shallows and bays, and fresh water in lowland and piedmont rivers (Ref. 59043).  A schooling species that inhabits lakes or inshore coastal waters (Ref. 1998).  Pelagic at the sea where it occurs at 4-8 m depth (Ref. 59043).  In the spring, it leaves the sea or the lake and ascends freshwater streams to spawn.  Some remain in fresh water throughout their lives (Ref. 1998); those that enter the sea stay within 8 to 10 km of the shore and probably do not stray far along the coast from the estuary (Ref. 28996). Spawns in rapids, in clear water, over stone-gravel bottom and at depth of 0.2-0.5 m (Ref. 59043).  Possibly found up to 425 m depth (Ref. 6793).  Young-of-the-year feed mostly on copepods and cladocerans, also rotifers, eggs and algae; adults feed on small crustaceans, fishes and shellfish, also squid, worms, and various insects (Ref. 27547).  Feeding virtually ceases during spawning (Ref. 27547).  Females grow faster, get bigger and live longer than males (Ref. 27547).  Highly esteemed as a food fish ever since white men came to North America (Ref. 27547).  Flesh is firm and tasty (Ref. 27547).