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Nelson's anchovy (Stolephorus nelsoni) — Engraulidae

Nelson's anchovy

Stolephorus nelsoni
Family: Engraulidae

The Nelson's anchovy (Stolephorus nelsoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Nelson's anchovy is an anchovy (Engraulidae) from coastal, estuarine and lower river water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a shiny lengthwise stripe and a projecting snout with inferior mouth. As a social schooling fish it swims in open water and filters plankton and small crustaceans. It is locally an important bait and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nelson's anchovy?

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

Where does the Nelson's anchovy live?

The Nelson's anchovy lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Nelson's anchovy get?

The Nelson's anchovy grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Nelson's anchovy dangerous to humans?

No, the Nelson'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.

Is the Nelson's anchovy edible?

Yes, the Nelson's anchovy is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Nelson's anchovy sourced
Scientific name
Stolephorus nelsoni
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Nelson's anchovy verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.4 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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

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

Same genus Stolephorus

More from the family Engraulidae

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