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Anchovy (Coilia dussumieri) — Engraulidae

Anchovy

Coilia dussumieri
Family: Engraulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Anchovy (Coilia dussumieri) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The goldspotted grenadier anchovy is an anchovy from coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a long, silvery body with rows of light-producing, gold-glinting spots along the belly and a thin, ribbon-like tail. It schools in shallow coastal and river-mouth water and filters small zooplankton from the water. It is an important local food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Anchovy?

The Anchovy has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Anchovy live?

The Anchovy lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Anchovy get?

The Anchovy grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 17 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
Goudstip-grenadieransjovis verified
English name
Anchovy verified
Scientific name
Coilia dussumieri
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Gold spotted gernadier anchovy; Gold spotted grenadier anchovy; Golden anchovy; Goldspotted grenadier anchovy verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots 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
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
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

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