Pronunciation: [klˈuːpe͡ɪd] (IPA) 
The word "clupeid" is spelled with six letters and pronounced as /ˈkljuːpiːd/. The spelling of this word follows the standard English language rules of using the letter "c" before the letter "l" and the letter "e" before the letter "i" to create the "long u" sound. In terms of its meaning, "clupeid" refers to any fish of the herring family, commonly found in both saltwater and freshwater environments.
A "clupeid" is a noun used to refer to any fish belonging to the family Clupeidae, which is a diverse family of small to medium-sized fishes. Clupeids are commonly known as herrings, sardines, shads, or menhadens. They are primarily found in marine environments, but some species also inhabit freshwater lakes and rivers.
These fish are characterized by their elongated and streamlined bodies, which are usually silver in color. They have a single dorsal fin, located close to the middle of their body, and a forked tail. Their mouths are relatively large, equipped with sharp teeth and a projecting lower jaw.
Clupeids are known for their highly migratory behavior, often forming large schools or shoals that can number in the millions. They are filter feeders, consuming plankton and other small organisms by straining them from the water. This feeding behavior makes them an essential part of the marine food chain, serving as a primary food source for many larger fish, marine mammals, and seabirds.
Many clupeids are of significant economic importance due to their abundance and commercial value. They are widely harvested for human consumption, both as fresh fish and in processed forms such as canned sardines or anchovies. Additionally, clupeids are used as bait for fishing and as a source for fish oil, which is extracted from their bodies and used in various products, including dietary supplements and industrial applications.
Overall, clupeids are a diverse and ecologically significant group of fish that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems and contribute to human livelihoods and nutrition.
The word "clupeid" is derived from the taxonomic family name "Clupeidae", which is a family of fish commonly known as the clupeids or clupeid fish. The term originates from the Latin name of the genus included in this family, "Clupea", which refers to the herring fish. The Latin word "Clupea" itself has its roots in the Greek word "kloupḗ", meaning "a box or basket", possibly alluding to the shape of herring or its assumed abundance. Therefore, "clupeid" is a word associated with this family of fish, based on its Latin and Greek origins.
