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Manamo anchovy (Anchoviella manamensis) — Engraulidae

Manamo anchovy

Anchoviella manamensis
Family: Engraulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Manamo anchovy (Anchoviella manamensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern South America; Orinoco delta and estuaries.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Manamo anchovy is a small anchovy (Engraulidae) from northern South America; it is named after the Cano Manamo in the Orinoco delta. The species is small, slender and translucent-silvery with a shiny side band. It lives in large schools in fresh to brackish estuarine water of the delta and adjacent coastal waters. At and near the surface it feeds by filtering small zooplankton. It is an important prey fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Manamo anchovy?

The Manamo anchovy has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Estuarine dwarf anchovy of the Orinoco delta (Cano Manamo, fresh to brackish water).

Where does the Manamo anchovy live?

The Manamo anchovy lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Northern South America; Orinoco delta and estuaries.

How big does the Manamo anchovy get?

The Manamo anchovy grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Manamo anchovy dangerous to humans?

No, the Manamo anchovy is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Manamo anchovy edible?

The Manamo anchovy is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Manamo anchovy verified
Scientific name
Anchoviella manamensis
Family
Engraulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Horizontal stripes
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Northern South America; Orinoco delta and estuaries.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, filter-feeding sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Estuarine dwarf anchovy of the Orinoco delta (Cano Manamo, fresh to brackish water). sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Anchoviella

More from the family Engraulidae

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