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Anchovy (Stolephorus tri) — Engraulidae

Anchovy

Stolephorus tri
Family: Engraulidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Anchovy (Stolephorus tri) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters and mangrove estuaries.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The anchovy is an anchovy (Engraulidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and slender with a translucent, silvery body and a conspicuous silver side band. It forms large schools in coastal waters and regularly visits the lower reaches of mangrove estuaries. It feeds on small zooplankton it filters from the water. It is an important prey and bait fish. The species 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. Striking silvery lateral band; schooling coastal anchovy, important prey and bait 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 mangrove estuaries.

How big does the Anchovy get?

The Anchovy grows to a maximum of about 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?

Yes, the Anchovy is commonly eaten.

More photos

Anchovy (Stolephorus tri) — Engraulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) mulannn77, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Anchovy (Stolephorus tri) — Engraulidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Francis Day (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Anchovy verified
Scientific name
Stolephorus tri
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Deep anchovy; Spined anchovy; White bait verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters and mangrove estuaries. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, sifted from the water sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Striking silvery lateral band; schooling coastal anchovy, important prey and bait fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Stolephorus

More from the family Engraulidae

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