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Oblique-jaw thryssa (Thryssa purava) — Engraulidae

Oblique-jaw thryssa

Thryssa purava
Family: Engraulidae

The Oblique-jaw thryssa (Thryssa purava) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The oblique-jaw thryssa is an anchovy (Engraulidae) from coastal, estuarine and lower river water of South and Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, bright-silvery body with a shiny lengthwise stripe and a large, obliquely set mouth. As a social schooling fish it swims in open water and filters plankton and small crustaceans. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Oblique-jaw thryssa?

The Oblique-jaw thryssa has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Oblique-jaw thryssa live?

The Oblique-jaw thryssa lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan

How big does the Oblique-jaw thryssa get?

The Oblique-jaw thryssa grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Oblique-jaw thryssa dangerous to humans?

No, the Oblique-jaw thryssa 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 Oblique-jaw thryssa edible?

Yes, the Oblique-jaw thryssa is commonly eaten.

More photos

Oblique-jaw thryssa (Thryssa purava) — Engraulidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — C. Achilles (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Oblique-jaw thryssa sourced
Scientific name
Thryssa purava
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Hamilton's thryssa; Longjaw thryssa; Oblique-jaw thryssa; Thryssa; Anchovy verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan 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
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. 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 Thryssa

More from the family Engraulidae

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