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Australian anchovy (Engraulis australis) — Engraulidae

Australian anchovy

Engraulis australis
Family: Engraulidae

The Australian anchovy (Engraulis australis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
31.0–70.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is., Norfolk I., Lord Howe I.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Australian anchovy is an anchovy (Engraulidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a glossy lengthwise band and a projecting snout above a large, underslung mouth. As a schooling fish it swims in great numbers in coastal and surface water and filters zooplankton. It is an important bait and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Australian anchovy?

The Australian anchovy has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Australian anchovy live?

The Australian anchovy lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is., Norfolk I., Lord Howe I.

How big does the Australian anchovy get?

The Australian anchovy grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Australian anchovy dangerous to humans?

No, the Australian anchovy is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Australian anchovy edible?

Yes, the Australian anchovy is commonly eaten.

More photos

Australian anchovy (Engraulis australis) — Engraulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Australian anchovy (Engraulis australis) — Engraulidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Caiden, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Australian anchovy (Engraulis australis) — Engraulidae — 4
kaipatikikaka (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Australian anchovy (Engraulis australis) — Engraulidae — 5
mountain_river_walkers (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Australian anchovy sourced
Scientific name
Engraulis australis
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Anchovy; Australian anchovy; Southern anchovy; Whitebait; Blue bait; Frogmouth; Frogmouth pilchard; Smig verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
31.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is., Norfolk I., Lord Howe I. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
6.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

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