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Marini's anchovy (Anchoa marinii) — Engraulidae

Marini's anchovy

Anchoa marinii
Family: Engraulidae

The Marini's anchovy (Anchoa marinii) is a saltwater fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–20.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay

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Description

The Marini's anchovy is an anchovy (Engraulidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the southwest Atlantic, off Argentina and Brazil. The species has a slender, laterally compressed, bright-silvery body with a shiny flank band, large eyes and a broad, rearward-reaching mouth. As an open-water schooling fish it swims in dense groups and filters small zooplankton. It forms an important link in the food chain and is a valued bait and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Marini's anchovy?

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

Where does the Marini's anchovy live?

The Marini's anchovy lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay

How big does the Marini's anchovy get?

The Marini's anchovy grows to a maximum of about 14 cm. On average the species is around 9 cm.

Is the Marini's anchovy dangerous to humans?

No, the Marini's 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Marini's anchovy sourced
Scientific name
Anchoa marinii
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Marini's anchovy; Anchovy verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Average length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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

Same genus Anchoa

More from the family Engraulidae

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