Fin's Fish Guide
The Anchovy (Anchoa lucida) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 13 cm.
Eastern Pacific; from Baja California and the Gulf of California (Mexico) southwards to Peru; coastal waters, bays and estuaries.
Description
The bright anchovy is a small schooling fish of the anchovy family (Engraulidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a bright silver lateral stripe and a projecting snout over an inferior mouth. It inhabits coastal waters but is most often recorded from bays, lagoons and estuaries, where it tolerates lowered salinities. The fish forms dense schools and feeds on zooplankton. As an abundant prey fish the bright anchovy is important to larger predatory fishes and seabirds. It 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 horizontal stripes pattern. Glossy silvery longitudinal stripe and a projecting snout; forms dense estuarine shoals.
Where does the Anchovy live?
The Anchovy lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Eastern Pacific; from Baja California and the Gulf of California (Mexico) southwards to Peru; coastal waters, bays and estuaries.
How big does the Anchovy get?
The Anchovy grows to a maximum of about 13 cm. On average the species is around 10 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
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Status & sources
Same genus Anchoa
More from the family Engraulidae
Want the complete picture on the Anchovy?
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.