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Orangemouth anchovy (Thryssa vitrirostris) — Engraulidae

Orangemouth anchovy

Thryssa vitrirostris
Family: Engraulidae

The Orangemouth anchovy (Thryssa vitrirostris) is a fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The orangemouth anchovy is an anchovy (Engraulidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 22 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with a pointed snout and a large mouth reaching behind the eye with an orange interior. It swims in large schools in shallow coastal water and river mouths and filters small zooplankton. It is a food and bait fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orangemouth anchovy?

The Orangemouth anchovy is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Orangemouth anchovy live?

The Orangemouth anchovy is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Orangemouth anchovy get?

The Orangemouth anchovy grows to a maximum of about 22 cm. On average the species is around 13 cm.

Is the Orangemouth anchovy dangerous to humans?

No, the Orangemouth anchovy is harmless to humans.

Is the Orangemouth anchovy edible?

Yes, the Orangemouth anchovy is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oranjebek-ansjovis sourced
English name
Orangemouth anchovy sourced
Scientific name
Thryssa vitrirostris
Family
Engraulidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Average length (cm)
13.2 sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

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
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Thryssa

More from the family Engraulidae

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