Nehu
📖 Overview
Epipelagic . A schooling species living close inshore and entering bays, inlets, estuaries, canals and even penetrating into fish ponds, thus able to tolerate a wide range of salinities. Feeds mainly on planktonic crustacean larvae. Breeds throughout the year, with a peak in summer, spawning at night (between 2200 and 0200 hours) in bays and estuaries .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13 - 15. Most specimens without pre-pelvic scutes, but some with 1 to 5 thin needle-like scutes. Maxilla tip blunt, reaching to front border of pre-operculum, but scarcely projecting beyond second supra-maxilla. Isthmus short, preceded by a small fleshy plate on urohyal between branchial membranes. Anal fin short, its origin behind base of last dorsal fin ray.: elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Nehu is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Spawn in bays and estuaries in school . Spawning is said to be continuous throughout the season .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; depth range 0 - 50 m . Tropical; 25°N - 14°N, 165°W - 143°W Central Pacific: endemic to Hawaii, but its use as a baitfish may spread its range.
🌿 Ecology
planktonic crustacean larvae
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchovia purpurea | Fowler | 1900 | Synonym |
| Anchoviella purpurea | Fowler | 1900 | Synonym |
| Engraulis purpurea | Fowler | 1900 | Synonym |
| Stolephorus purpureus | Fowler | 1900 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Nehu ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.