Mackerel vs. Sardine: What's the Difference?

Any of various marine fishes of the family Scombridae, especially Scomber scombrus of the North Atlantic Ocean, a predatory food fish having dark wavy bars on the back and a silvery belly.

Any of various edible fishes of the family Clupeidae that are frequently canned, especially small herrings of western Atlantic waters and Sardina pilchardus of European waters.

Any of various similar fishes, such as the horse mackerels.

Any of various other small, silvery, edible freshwater or marine fishes.

Certain smaller edible fish, principally true mackerel and Spanish mackerel in family Scombridae, often speckled,

To pack tightly; cram

Typically Scomber scombrus in the British isles.

Any one of several species of small herring which are commonly preserved in olive oil or in tins for food, especially the pilchard, or European sardine Sardina pilchardus (syn. Clupea pilchardus). The California sardine Sardinops sagax (syn. Clupea sagax) is similar. The American sardines of the Atlantic coast are mostly the young of the Atlantic herring and of the menhaden.

A true mackerel, any fish of tribe Scombrini (Scomber spp., Rastrelliger spp.)

(obsolete) carnelian

Certain other similar small fish in families Carangidae, Gempylidae, and Hexagrammidae.

(figurative) Someone packed or crammed into a small space.

(obsolete) A pimp; also, a bawd.

To fish for sardines

A pimp; also, a bawd.

To pack or cram together tightly.

Any species of the genus Scomber of the family Scombridae, and of several related genera. They are finely formed and very active oceanic fishes. Most of them are highly prized for food.

Any one of several small species of herring which are commonly preserved in olive oil for food, especially the pilchard, or European sardine (Clupea pilchardus). The California sardine (Clupea sagax) is similar. The American sardines of the Atlantic coast are mostly the young of the common herring and of the menhaden.

Flesh of very important usually small (to 18 in) fatty Atlantic fish

See Sardius.

Any of various fishes of the family Scombridae

Small fatty fish usually canned

Any of various small edible herring or related food fishes frequently canned

A deep orange-red variety of chalcedony

Small fishes found in great schools along coasts of Europe; smaller and rounder than herring