Fin's Fish Guide
The Anchovy (Anchoa curta) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 9 cm.
Western Atlantic, in coastal waters and turbid estuaries, in salt, brackish and sometimes fresh water.
Description
The short anchovy is a small anchovy (family Engraulidae) of the western Atlantic. The species reaches only about 9 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a shining lateral stripe and a downward-directed mouth with overhanging snout. It lives pelagically in schools in coastal waters, most often in murky estuaries, and tolerates salt, brackish and sometimes fresh water, penetrating a few kilometres up rivers. As a filter feeder it lives on zooplankton. The species is a link in the coastal food web and is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Anchovy?
The Anchovy has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Small schooling anchovy that prefers turbid estuaries and tolerates salt, brackish and fresh water.
Where does the Anchovy live?
The Anchovy lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. Western Atlantic, in coastal waters and turbid estuaries, in salt, brackish and sometimes fresh water.
How big does the Anchovy get?
The Anchovy grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.
Is the Anchovy dangerous to humans?
No, the Anchovy is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Anchovy edible?
The Anchovy is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Anchoa
More from the family Engraulidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Anchovy is one of 12,519 species in the app.