Capelin are small, slender fish that closely resemble smelt. They have a pointed snout with a slightly protruding lower jaw, a large dorsal fin and a small adipose fin behind it. They are silvery under their lateral line and green or olive-green above it, and their underside is silvery-white. During the spawning season, capelin exhibit sexual dimorphism, which means the head and back of males become darker; their pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are well-developed compared to females; and males have ‘spawning ridges’ consisting of a row of elongated scales just above the lateral line on either side of the body. Mature capelin are generally between 13 and 20 centimetres long, with the largest male found in Newfoundland waters at 25 centimetres long. Mature capelin can weigh as much as 40 and 45 grams, and rarely live longer than five years.
Availability
Quebec fisheries are open from spring to fall, but our products are available yearly
Product form
Frozen Smoked Dried
Certifications
Our companies are certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Fishing sector
FAO zone 21
Nutrition values
- Calories 97
- Lipides 4.2 g
- Saturés 1 g
- Cholestérol 216 mg
- Sodium 184 mg
- Glucides < 0.1 g
- Protéines 15 g
- Calcium 218 mg
- Potassium 307 mg
- Fer 0.9 mg
Health benefits
Capelin’s meat is an excellent prophylactic against cardiovascular problems, notably coronary diseases, cerebrovascular accidents and heart attacks.
Latin name
Mallotus villosus
