Astral anchovy
📖 Overview
Astral anchovy (Stolephorus astrum), first described by Hata & Motomura, 2024 is a small fish in the family Engraulidae (order Clupeiformes). Adults typically reach 5.50 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 0 to 15 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. The species is important as a food fish. As a member of the Engraulidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Vertebrae: 38 - 39. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: maxilla short, 15.9-17.8% of SL, posterior tip just reaching to or slightly beyond anterior margin of preopercle (just short of anterior margin in individuals < 3.6 cm SL); posterior margin of preopercle convex, rounded; predorsal scutes absent; prepelvic scutes 1-4 (modally 4); pelvic scute no spine; dorsal fin with three unbranched and 12-14 (13) branched rays; anal fin with three unbranched and 18-19 (18) branched rays, the origin located just below base of ninth to eleventh dorsal-fin ray; gill rakers at first (1) gill arch, upper (1UGR) 20-24 + lower (1LGR) 30-34 = 50-56 (1TGR); 2UGR 15-18 + 2LGR 26-30 = 2TGR 42-48; 3UGR 12-13 + 3LGR 15-17 = 3TGR 27-30; 4UGR 9-10 + 4LGR 12-14 = 4TGR 21-24; gill rakers 5-7 on the posterior face of third gill arch; transverse scales 8; pseudobranchial filaments 16-21; total vertebrae 38 or 39; pelvic fin short, 10.2-11.3% of SL, depressed tip reaching posteriorly to vertical through 3rd to 6th dorsal-fin ray origin; pectoral fin short, 15.9-16.3% of SL; predorsal fin length short, 50.1-53.6% of SL; caudal peduncle rather long, 16.8-18.6% of SL; body slender, 16.8-19.0% of SL, distance between dorsal-fin origin and pelvic-fin insertion 20.1-23.4% of SL, between origins of dorsal and anal fins 19.1-20.3%. Colouration: pairs of dark patches on parietal and occipital areas; no dark lines on dorsum; black spots on the tips of snout and lower jaw, but not on suborbital area; melanophores scattered on second to eigth uppermost pectoral-fin rays .Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Astral anchovy is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; depth range 0 - 15 m . Tropical
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Astral anchovy is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Astral anchovy has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (oily fish average)
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Astral anchovy ↗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.