Instructions: Q. What are Swedish Fish? I have a recipe calling for Swedish fish and have no idea what they are. Thank you for answering such a stupid question.

A. Weve never gotten a stupid question, and you are not going to spoil our track record. Were not so sure about your recipe, though. What is the recipe for? Our first thoughts went to herring, a Scandinavian staple, or turbot, the fish of choice in Swedens fishing capital, Gothenburg. Another possibility is sprat, a herring relative, which is sometimes called the Swedish anchovy.

We contacted the Swedish Trade Council, and they couldnt come up with a single Swedish fish to suit your recipe. Indeed, their list is longer than ours, and includes herring (in a jar or fresh), anchovies, eel, salmon, cod, white fish, perch or pike.

Now, there is one other option. Is it at all possible that your recipe is for some kind of dessert? Anneli M. Sumen of the trade group, says there is also a candy called Swedish Fish. It is made by a Swedish company, Malaco. The candy is similar to gummi bears in texture, colors and taste, Ms. Sumen says, but are larger and shaped like fish. They are sold usually at specialty stores and movie theaters, but she says she has also been able to find them at Walgreens stores.

So, your choices run the gamut from herring to candy fish. Which looks more appropriate for your recipe?

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