Menhaden, mossbunker, bunker, or fatback (Brevoortia tyrannus) is found from eastern Canada south to Florida. This species can grow to about 12 inches in length. This fish shows the typical dark shoulder spot plus some other smaller dark spots on the side. The fins are pale yellow. Although this fish is considered to oily for human consumption, this species was very valuable to the Indians and early colonists in the New World. When buried with seeds, the resulting crop can be excellent. Records indicate that as many as 10,000 per acre were used.

Menhaden genus (Brevoortia) contains several species of deep bodied herrings. They usually show a black spot behind their upper gill. Most species can reach about one foot in length. These fish are hunted in quantities by commercial fishermen for their value in making fish meal and fish oil.

Herrings, sardines, or pilchards (Family Clupeidae) number about 180 species distributed among about 65 different genera. These fish are found worldwide. Most species are smaller kinds. These schooling fish can occur in gigantic quantities, and they serve both ocean predators and humans as an important food source.

The herring order (Clupeiformes) is found worldwide in marine environments. Several species are found in freshwater. The anchovies (Engraulidae), the wolf herrings (Chirocentridae), and the typical herrings (Clupeidae) belong here.

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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