Spicule anchovy
📖 Overview
A coastal species that apparently forms large schools. Enters brackish and fresh waters. Feeds on small fishes (including clupeoids) and prawns . Seems to spawn over an extended period in Costa Rica (small fishes caught in February, September and October). Marketed fresh .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 31 - 37. Snout about 3/4 eye diameter; maxilla long, tip pointed, reaching to or a little beyond edge of gill cover; anterior gill rakers mere stumps; hind border of gill cover with a small triangular projection; panamensis-type gill cover canals. Pectoral fin long; anal fin origin below midpoint of dorsal fin base. A silver stripe along flank in small individuals, disappearing with age .: elongated; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spicule anchovy is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Probably an extended spawning season in Costa Rica (small fishes caught in February, September and October . Spawn in school .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; depth range 1 - 55 m, usually 5 - 30 m . Tropical; 14°N - 26°S, 87°W - 32°W south to at least Santos, Brazil, perhaps further.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes (including clupeoids) and prawns (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Spicule anchovy |
| 🇫🇷French | Anchois de fond |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? spinifera | Valenciennes | 1848 | Synonym |
| Anchoa argenteus | Schultz | 1949 | Synonym |
| Anchoa spinifera | Valenciennes | 1848 | Synonym |
| Anchovia spinifera | Valenciennes | 1848 | Synonym |
| Anchoviella spinifer | Valenciennes | 1848 | Synonym |
| Anchoviella spinifera | Valenciennes | 1848 | Synonym |
| Engraulis spinifer | Valenciennes | 1848 | Synonym |
| Engraulis thrissoides | Müller & Troschel | 1849 | Synonym |
| Stolephorus spinifer | Valenciennes | 1848 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 104 records indexed .
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