What is a small caplin-like fish often canned for food called?

The small caplin-like fish often canned for food is called sardine.

While the term "sardine" is often used broadly, it technically refers to specific species of herring (like the European pilchard) that are packed in oil or brine for canning. However, many other small fish, including some species of caplin, are also canned and marketed as sardines.

So, although not all "sardines" are caplin, some caplin may be marketed as sardines.