Indian anchovy
📖 Overview
A schooling species occurring in coastal waters and which appears to enter at least the estuarine parts of rivers and to tolerate brackish water. Coastal pelagic . Feeds most likely on zooplankton, but more data needed. Used as bait in the tuna fishery in the South Pacific, although said to be fragile. Also Ref. 58652.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 19 - 21. Diagnosis: Body slender, elongate, rather round in cross-section, belly rounded, with 2-6 small needle-like pre-pelvic scutes; maxilla tip pointed, reaching to or only just beyond front border of pre-operculum; hind border of pre-operculum convex, rounded; lower gillrakers 20-28; isthmus muscle tapering evenly forward to hind border of branchial membrane; pelvic fin tips not reaching to below dorsal fin origin; anal fin short, with usually 3 unbranched and 16-18 branched finrays, its origin below centre of dorsal fin base; body light transparent fleshy brown, with a silver stripe down flank; no dark pigment lines on back between head and dorsal fin . Other species with such a short maxilla are Stolephorus advenus, with 7 pre-pelvic scutes, and S. pacificus, with 35-38 gillrakers; maxilla to or almost to hind border of pre-operculum in other Stolephorus species . : elongated; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Indian anchovy is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Indian anchovy is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
In Manila Bay, migrates out into deeper and more saline water to breed (at about 9 cm SL and above), returning immediately thereafter.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous; depth range 20 - 50 m . Tropical; 30°N - 37°S, 23°E - 144°W Indian Ocean: from the Red Sea to Ranong and Phuket, Thailand.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Indian anchovy is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 280 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Indian anchovy has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchovia scitula | Fowler | 1911 | Synonym |
| Anchoviella indica | van Hasselt | 1823 | Synonym |
| Anchoviella scitula | Fowler | 1911 | Synonym |
| Elops albus | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
| Engraulis albus | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
| Engraulis balinensis | Bleeker | 1849 | Synonym |
| Engraulis indica | van Hasselt | 1823 | Synonym |
| Engraulis russellii | Bleeker | 1821 | Synonym |
| Engraulis samaminan | Thiollière | 1857 | Synonym |
| Stolephorus extensus | Jordan & Seale | 1926 | Synonym |
| Stolephorus indicus nanus | Hardenberg | 1933 | Synonym |
| Stolephorus insularum | Jordan & Seale | 1926 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 29 records indexed .
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