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Apia anchovy (Stolephorus apiensis) — Engraulidae

Apia anchovy

Stolephorus apiensis
Family: Engraulidae

The Apia anchovy (Stolephorus apiensis) 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
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Apia anchovy is an anchovy (Engraulidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, translucent silvery body with a shiny longitudinal stripe, a pointed snout and a large, inferior mouth. As a social schooling fish it forms dense swarms in the upper layer and filters small zooplankton. It is important food for larger fish and seabirds. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Apia anchovy?

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

Where does the Apia anchovy live?

The Apia anchovy lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Apia anchovy get?

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

Is the Apia anchovy dangerous to humans?

No, the Apia anchovy is harmless to humans.

Is the Apia anchovy edible?

Yes, the Apia anchovy is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Apia-ansjovis sourced
English name
Apia anchovy sourced
Scientific name
Stolephorus apiensis
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Samoan anchovy 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
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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