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Longfin Pacific anchovy (Anchoa analis) — Engraulidae

Longfin Pacific anchovy

Anchoa analis
Family: Engraulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Longfin Pacific anchovy (Anchoa analis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–2.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The longfin Pacific anchovy is a small anchovy from the eastern Pacific, off the coast of Central and South America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a shiny lateral stripe and a somewhat elongated anal fin. It schools in large numbers in shallow coastal, estuarine and lagoon water and filters small zooplankton from the water. It is an important forage and bait fish for larger predators. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longfin Pacific anchovy?

The Longfin Pacific anchovy has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Longfin Pacific anchovy live?

The Longfin Pacific anchovy lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Longfin Pacific anchovy get?

The Longfin Pacific anchovy grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Longfin Pacific anchovy dangerous to humans?

No, the Longfin Pacific anchovy is harmless to humans.

Is the Longfin Pacific anchovy edible?

The Longfin Pacific anchovy is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langvin-ansjovis verified
English name
Longfin Pacific anchovy verified
Scientific name
Anchoa analis
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Longfin Pacific anchovy verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Netvisserij sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Anchoa

More from the family Engraulidae

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