Teleostei (teleosts) >
Clupeiformes (Herrings) >
Engraulidae (Anchovies) > Engraulinae
Etymology: Anchoa: Italian ancioa = anchovy (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Poey.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 0 - 60 m (Ref. 189). Subtropical; 36°N - 30°S, 91°W - 32°W (Ref. 189)
Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA to northern Gulf of Mexico; Cuba and probably throughout the Greater and Lesser Antilles; Yucatan, Mexico to at least Santos, Brazil.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5217); common length : 8.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5217)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 21. Snout pointed about 3/4 eye diameter; maxilla long, tip pointed, projecting at least 1/2 eye diameter beyond second supra-maxilla, reaching beyond hind border of pre-operculum; gill cover canals of walkeri-type. Anal fin origin below midpoint of dorsal fin base; anus nearer to pelvic fin tips than to anal fin origin. Silver stripe along flank, about pupil diameter, lost on preservation.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: oval.
Occurs in coastal waters, forming dense schools along beaches in water of 1 m or less.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Spawn in school (Ref. 205).
Whitehead, P.J.P., G.J. Nelson and T. Wongratana, 1988. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 7. Clupeoid fishes of the world (Suborder Clupeoidei). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the herrings, sardines, pilchards, sprats, shads, anchovies and wolf-herrings. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(7/2):305-579. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 189)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; bait: usually
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