Diagnostic features as for Sardinella aurita from which it differs in having the anterior gill rakers on the lower limbs of the second and third gill arches distinctly curled downward (more or less flat in S. aurita) (Ref. 188). The pelvic fin ray count of i 8 distinguishes S. brasiliensis from all other species of Sardinella, also Harengula and Opisthonema (Ref. 188). Similar to S. aurita (Ref. 26938). Bluish black above. Peritoneum black (Ref. 37032). Separation of Sardinella brasiliensis (synonym of Sardinella janeiro) from Sardinella aurita on the basis of gill raker shape and a higher gill raker count is tentative.