| Family: |
Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Engraulinae |
| Max. size: |
22 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 3 years |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 32 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Pacific: southwestern coast of Baja California, Mexico and from the Gulf of California to northern Peru (up to the Bay of Sechura). Apparently reaching Los Angeles, USA, but these are perhaps releases from tuna boats. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 17-24. Head large and deep. Snout short and pointed, about 2/3 eye diameter; maxilla moderate, tip blunt, just failing to reach lower jaw articulation; lower gill rakers fine and numerous, increasing in large fishes; no gill rakers on posterior face of third epibranchial. Branchiostegal rays 8, long and slender; branchiostegal membrane broad. Silver stripe disappearing at about 8-10 cm SL. |
| Biology: |
Occurs inshore, principally over mud flats and forming quite large schools. Apparently not making long migrations along sandy or rocky areas. Juveniles feed principally on diatoms, also silico-flagellates, dinoflagellates and small crustaceans; adults also mainly on benthic diatoms. Used as tuna baitfish. Processed into fishmeal and oil. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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