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Snubnose anchovy (Anchoa choerostoma) — Engraulidae

Snubnose anchovy

Anchoa choerostoma
Family: Engraulidae

The Snubnose anchovy (Anchoa choerostoma) is a saltwater fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Barbados, Bermuda

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Description

The Snubnose anchovy is an anchovy (Engraulidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. 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 Snubnose anchovy?

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

Where does the Snubnose anchovy live?

The Snubnose anchovy lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. North America: Barbados, Bermuda

How big does the Snubnose anchovy get?

The Snubnose anchovy grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Snubnose anchovy dangerous to humans?

No, the Snubnose 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
Snubnose anchovy sourced
Scientific name
Anchoa choerostoma
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Hogmouth fry; Hog-mouth fry; White fray; Bermuda anchovy; White fry verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Barbados, Bermuda 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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