The smelt fish

   Smelt is a common name for fish of the genus Osmerus in the Osmeridae family, characterized by strong fanglike teeth, especially on the tongue and on the tip of the vomer, and by rather large scales, which readily fall off. The form is very troutlike, but more slender; the tail is larger in proportion, and more forked. The back is whitish, tinged with green; the upper part of the sides shows bluish tints, and the lower part of the sides and the belly are of a bright silvery color. The smelt is used extensively as a food.