Alosa braschnikowi and with varying gill raker numbers. The suggested subspecies include: Even "Alosa curensis" and "Alosa maeotica" have sometimes been listed as subspecies of "A. brashnikovi"; the latter is from the Pontic basin and now considered distinct (non-Caspian) species. Several further synonyms exist. Alosa braschnikowi Alosa braschnikowi, the Caspian marine shad or Brazhnikov's shad, is one of the clupeid fish species endemic to the Caspian Sea. This is a relatively large shad, typically 30 cm and up to 50 cm length. It also has a more "herring-like" body shape than other Caspian shad species, being a slender and elongate fish. It
Herring also found in the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Bay of Bengal. Herring played a pivotal role in the history of marine fisheries in Europe, and early in the 20th century, their study was fundamental to the evolution of fisheries science. These oily fish also have a long history as an important food fish, and are often salted, smoked, or pickled. A number of different species, most belonging to the family Clupeidae, are commonly referred to as herrings. The origins of the term "herring" is somewhat unclear, though it may derive from the Old High German "heri" meaning a "host,