Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita)

Scientific name: Engraulis anchoita Hubbs & Marini, 1935

Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita)

The Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) is a marine fish of the family Engraulidae. Native range: Southwest Atlantic, north of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to San Jorge Gulf, Argentina.

Biology

Occurs in coastal waters to about 800 km or more from the shore, forming dense schools at about 30 to 90 m depth in summer, but down to 100 to 200 m during winter. Feeds as juveniles on zooplankton, but with phytoplankton becoming increasingly important. Spawns throughout the year, most intensely and close to shore in October or November and again in May or June but less intensely and more offshore. Exhibits north-south and near shore-offshore migrations. During winter as the most favorable feeding period for larvae which occurs in the continental shelf in the extreme south of Brazil. Consumed fresh or canned.Typical size 7-13 cm SL.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Engraulis anchoita
Family
Engraulidae (Anchovies)
Order
Clupeiformes (Herrings)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
17.0
Depth range
30–200 m (98–656 ft)
Environment
Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous; depth range 30 - 200 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Southwest Atlantic: north of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to San Jorge Gulf, Argentina.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.2-0.3)

Sources

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

Last updated