River herring or skip jack herring (Alosia chrysochloris) is native to the northern Gulf of Mexico. It is also found in various fresh water rivers that feed into the Gulf of Mexico. Some freshwater populations are found as far north as Minnesota. This fish can grow to about 18 inches in length. This species lacks the typical spot behind the upper gill opening. This fish typically has a golden hue on its upper side. The skipjack common name probably derives from its habit of frequently leaping out of the water.

Pflieger notes in his book on Missouri fishes that this herring is found in the Mississippi River north of St. Louis and also found in the Missouri River throughout Missouri.

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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