Anchovy

Fairly elongate. Snout long, about 3/4 eye diameter or more; maxilla long, tip pointed, reaching almost to gill opening; gill cover canals of panamensis-type; pseudobranch longer than eye diameter, with 30 or more filaments, extending onto inner face of operculum. Anal fin origin under or just behind base of last dorsal fin ray. Silver stripe along flank about eye diameter.

Spawns more intensively in the warmer months (Ref. 189). Spawn in school (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 20 - 25

A schooling species occurring in coastal waters, near shores, entering bays and tolerating some lowering of salinity.

A schooling species occurring in coastal waters, near shores, entering bays and tolerating some lowering of salinity. Spawns throughout the year, but more intensively in the warmer months. The eggs are oval. The most important tuna baitfish in Manta, Ecuador.

fisheries: minor commercial; bait: usually; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family