Tamil anchovy
📖 Overview
Tamil anchovy (Stolephorus tamilensis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Engraulidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in pelagic environments. With a trophic level of 3.3, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 15; Anal soft rays: 17 - 19. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: relatively deep-body, 19.87-23.37% SL (mean 21.2%); eye relatively large, its diameter 29.28-35.85% HL (mean 32.09%); posterior margin of preopercle indented; gill rakers on first gill arch, upper series 15-19, lower series 25-28, total 40-47; posterior tip of longest pectoral-fin ray do not reach the pelvic-fin origin, pelvic-fin is relatively short, 5.81-8.15% SL (mean 7.39%); no pre-dorsal spines and post-pelvic scutes, pre-pelvic scutes 5-6; dorsal-fin base length 13.85-15.54% in SL (mean 14.57%); dorsal-fin origin is closer to caudal fin base than to tip of snout; length from dorsal-fin origin to anal-fin origin 20.91-22.57 % in SL (mean 21.87%); anal-fin rays 17-19; numerous melanophores on dorsum and suborbital area .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Tamil anchovy is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Tamil anchovy is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Tamil anchovy is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-neritic. Tropical Indian Ocean: India.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Tamil anchovy is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Tamil anchovy has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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