Fin's Fish Guide
The Anchovy (Stolephorus indicus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 16 cm.
Description
The Indian anchovy is a small herring relative of the anchovy family (Engraulidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a bright silver lateral stripe and a projecting snout with a large, inferior mouth. It forms large schools in coastal waters and enters at least the estuarine parts of river mouths. As a plankton feeder it filters small zooplankton from the water. As an extremely abundant prey fish it is an important link in the food web and an important commercial fish used fresh, dried or as fish sauce. 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; extremely numerous plankton-eating schooling fish and important commercial fish.
Where does the Anchovy live?
The Anchovy lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters and estuaries.
How big does the Anchovy get?
The Anchovy grows to a maximum of about 16 cm. On average the species is around 12 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?
Yes, the Anchovy is commonly eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Anchovy and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Stolephorus
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.