Anchovy

Depth widely variable. Snout about 2/3 eye diameter; maxilla moderate, pointed, reaching onto sub-operculum. Gill rakers short, the longest not less than pupil diameter in adults. Dorsal fin origin behind midpoint of body; anal fin origin below 6th-8th branched dorsal fin rays. Silver stripe up to twice eye diameter at widest, lost in fishes over 10 cm SL. Curve of black dots on operculum (Ref. 189). Grayish blue dorsally, fins yellowish with translucent membranes and a blackish caudal margin (Ref. 27363).

Spawn in school (Ref. 205).

Anadromous. Fish that ascend rivers to spawn, as salmon and hilsa do. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 21 - 28

Occurs in brackish estuaries and adjacent marine areas; penetrates freshwater (Ref. 5217). Forms moderate schools. Usually migrating from estuaries or the sea, but possibly the limnichthys of Lake Maracaibo and the amazonensis represent purely freshwater forms. In freshwater, it feeds principally on small fishes, prawns and copepods; also insect larvae. At sea, it feeds on fishes, various crustaceans, benthic organisms and zooplankton (Ref. 189). Consumed fish for more than 65% relative occurrence of its diet (Ref. 76754).

Occurs in brackish estuaries and adjacent marine areas; penetrates freshwater (Ref. 5217). Forms moderate schools. Usually migrating from estuaries or the sea, but possibly the limnichthys of Lake Maracaibo and the amazonensis represent purely freshwater forms. In freshwater, it feeds principally on small fishes, prawns and copepods; also insect larvae. At sea, it feeds on fishes and various crustaceans. Spawns in freshwater. Year round occurrence of eggs reported.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family