About Capelin (Mallotus villosus)

Capelin are members of the Osmeridae family of smelts. They are known as sparling in England. Capelin are slender translucent olive colored, small-scalled fish that grow to a maximum length of 25 cm. Capelin was once the primary food of cod in the North Atlantic. When the cod population diminished the capelin population increased drastically.

Diet

Feeds on planktonic crustaceans, copepods, euphausiids, amphipods, marine worms, and small fishes

Use

Females are valued for their roe, males are utilized as fishmeal. Marketed canned and frozen; eaten fried and dried.