Round ScadorSpanish Sardine

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of a Round Scad (Decapterus punctatus), side view, on a white background — **Round Scad***Decapterus punctatus*

Studio photograph of a Spanish Sardine (Sardinella aurita), side view, on a white background — **Spanish Sardine***Sardinella aurita*

Rules for both fish from 0 state rulebooks, checked Sep 22, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

Round Scad

Slim cigar of a baitfish with a detached finlet behind both dorsal and anal fins and scutes near the tail.

Round scad, next to Spanish sardine: detached finlets and tail scutes.

Spanish Sardine

Slim, round-bodied silver sardine with a blue-green back and no spots or threads at all.

Spanish sardine, next to round scad: no finlets, no scutes.

Side by side

	Round Scad	Spanish Sardine
Scientific name	Decapterus punctatus	Sardinella aurita
Also called	Cigar minnow	—
Waters	Nearshore	Inshore
Heaviest state record	—	—
On the table	Premium bait; edible fried but few bother.	Bait; canned commercially.
Rules of its own in	0 states	0 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

State	Round Scad: size · bag · season	Spanish Sardine: size · bag · season

Questions anglers ask

How do you tell round scad from Spanish sardine?

Round Scad: Slim cigar of a baitfish with a detached finlet behind both dorsal and anal fins and scutes near the tail. Spanish Sardine: Slim, round-bodied silver sardine with a blue-green back and no spots or threads at all. Spanish sardine, next to round scad: no finlets, no scutes. Round scad, next to Spanish sardine: detached finlets and tail scutes.

Which is better to eat, round scad or Spanish sardine?

Round Scad: Premium bait; edible fried but few bother. Spanish Sardine: Bait; canned commercially.