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Anchovy (Thryssa setirostris) — Engraulidae

Anchovy

Thryssa setirostris
Family: Engraulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Anchovy (Thryssa setirostris) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The longjaw thryssa is an anchovy (Engraulidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a slender, silvery body and is striking for a very long upper jaw reaching far behind the head, to which the name refers. It is a marine, pelagic schooling fish that stays close inshore and enters bays and estuaries. With its fine gill rakers it filters small zooplankton from the water. It is a prey fish for larger predators and is fished locally. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Anchovy?

The Anchovy has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Anchovy live?

The Anchovy lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Anchovy get?

The Anchovy grows to a maximum of about 18 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Anchovy dangerous to humans?

No, the Anchovy is harmless to humans.

Is the Anchovy edible?

Yes, the Anchovy is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langkaak-ansjovis sourced
English name
Anchovy verified
Scientific name
Thryssa setirostris
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Long-horned anchovy; Long-jaw anchovy; Longjaw glassnose; Longjaw thryssa verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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