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Smelt
          
                        SMELT, common name for any of several species of marine and freshwater fish of
                        the family Osmeridae of the northern hemisphere, characterized by the presence of
                        a small adipose fin on the dorsal surface of the body, and by rather large scales,
                        which readily fall off. The form is troutlike but much more slender; the tail is larger in
                        proportion to the body, and is more forked. Although rarely exceeding 15 cm (6 in)
                        in length, the smelt is used extensively as food. A number of other families of fish
                        are also known as smelts, such as the New Zealand smelts (Retropinnidae), the
                        southern smelts (Galaxiidae), and the deep-sea smelts (Bathylagidae).