Anchoveta (Engraulis ringens)

Scientific name: Engraulis ringens Jenyns, 1842

The Anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) is a marine fish of the family Engraulidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 13–23°C (55–73°F). Native range: Southeast Pacific, Aguja Point, Peru to Chilo?, Chile (distribution dependent on the coastal extent of the Peru Current).

Anchoveta care at a glance

Temperature: 13–23°C (55–73°F)

Biology

Occurs mainly within 80 km of coast, forming huge schools, chiefly in surface waters. A filter-feeder entirely dependent on the rich plankton of the Peruvian Current. In some studies, diatoms constituted as much as 98% of the diet. Large populations of guano birds and pelicans also depend on this fish. Utilized as fish meal and oil.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Engraulis ringens
Family: Engraulidae (Anchovies)
Order: Clupeiformes (Herrings)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 20.0
Common length: 14.0
Depth range: 3–80 m (10–262 ft)
Environment: Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous; depth range 3 - 80 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Southeast Pacific: Aguja Point, Peru to Chilo?, Chile (distribution dependent on the coastal extent of the Peru Current).
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.6-0.9; tm=1; tmax=3)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026