What kind of fish is whitebait?

Flared Hicks · 22nd May 2011, 04:19 AM

I just had some out in Portugal where it was described as baby mackerel on the menu. I'd always assumed it was herring or some such, but having looked it up on Wikipedia, it appears it could basically be any of a number of juvenile fish from different species.

knarfw · 22nd May 2011, 04:34 AM

Young herring but, as you say, it could refer to other species of young fish.

YorkMackem · 22nd May 2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flared Hicks

I just had some out in Portugal where it was described as baby mackerel on the menu. I'd always assumed it was herring or some such, but having looked it up on Wikipedia, it appears it could basically be any of a number of juvenile fish from different species.

From frozen, dust in seasoned flour with a touch of cayenne pepper. Deep fry for a minute or so. Serve with buttered brown bread and lemon. Jubbly.

El Matador · 22nd May 2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flared Hicks

I just had some out in Portugal where it was described as baby mackerel on the menu. I'd always assumed it was herring or some such, but having looked it up on Wikipedia, it appears it could basically be any of a number of juvenile fish from different species.

I always thought they were sprats.

magswonnowt · 22nd May 2011, 12:12 PM

i ordered some in Alnwick without realising what they were. all i got was a plate of sticklebacks from Mowbray Park pond

CatRyan · 22nd May 2011, 12:18 PM

Aren't mackerel and shark the same family?

Whitebait is small and tasty and I like to stop thinking there before I get to wondering about shit pipes

Flared Hicks · 22nd May 2011, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatRyan

Aren't mackerel and shark the same family?

Whitebait is small and tasty and I like to stop thinking there before I get to wondering about shit pipes

Don't think so. Shark are cartiligenous(sp) fish and need to keep moving to prevent them from drowning, mackerel are common or garden oily fish.

I could be wrong tho'.

lordy · 23rd May 2011, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flared Hicks

I just had some out in Portugal where it was described as baby mackerel on the menu. I'd always assumed it was herring or some such, but having looked it up on Wikipedia, it appears it could basically be any of a number of juvenile fish from different species.

little fishies

Charmless Man · 23rd May 2011, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatRyan

Aren't mackerel and shark the same family?

Whitebait is small and tasty and I like to stop thinking there before I get to wondering about shit pipes

Mackerel belongs to the Scombridae, the same family as Tuna.

Sharks belong to an entirely different class, let alone family.

As for whitebait, I haven't really got a clue but its bloody nice!