Home · Engraulidae · Yangtse grenadier anchovy
Yangtse grenadier anchovy (Coilia brachygnathus) — Engraulidae

Yangtse grenadier anchovy

Coilia brachygnathus
Family: Engraulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Yangtse grenadier anchovy (Coilia brachygnathus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35.4 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Yangtze grenadier anchovy is a remarkable anchovy from fresh and brackish water of the Yangtze basin in China. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a long, silvery body that tapers backward into a thin, ribbon-like tail merging with the long anal fin. It schools in rivers and lakes and filters small zooplankton from the water. It is a valued local food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yangtse grenadier anchovy?

The Yangtse grenadier anchovy has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Yangtse grenadier anchovy live?

The Yangtse grenadier anchovy lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Yangtse grenadier anchovy get?

The Yangtse grenadier anchovy grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Yangtse grenadier anchovy dangerous to humans?

No, the Yangtse grenadier anchovy is harmless to humans.

Is the Yangtse grenadier anchovy edible?

Yes, the Yangtse grenadier anchovy is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Yangtze-grenadieransjovis verified
English name
Yangtse grenadier anchovy verified
Scientific name
Coilia brachygnathus
Family
Engraulidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Netvisserij sourced
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 Coilia

More from the family Engraulidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →