Natal anchovy
📖 Overview
A coastal, pelagic and schooling species; its presence in estuaries suggests that it can tolerate brackish water . It is common along shore and in estuaries . It feeds on plankton, mainly copepods . It spawns in summer, usually at sea .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 20 - 23. Diagnosis: Body somewhat compressed, belly with 6-8 small needle-like pre-pelvic scutes, no post-pelvic scutes; maxilla tip pointed, reaching to or beyond hind border of pre-operculum, the latter concave, indented near maxilla tip; lower gillrakers 24-29; anal fin short, usually with 3 unbranched and 17-20 branched finrays, its origin below about middle of dorsal fin base . Of similar species in its distribution area, Stolephorus indicus is round-bodied and has a shorter maxilla, not to hind border of pre-operculum; and Encrasicholina punctifer has the anal fin origin behind the dorsal fin base . : elongated; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Natal anchovy is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 50 m . Subtropical; 24°S - 40°S, 21°E - 37°E south to Port Elizabeth in South Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
plankton, mainly copepods (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Natal anchovy is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Natal 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)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
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| - | - | - |
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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