Devis' anchovy (Encrasicholina devisi)

Scientific name: Encrasicholina devisi Whitley, 1940

The Devis' anchovy (Encrasicholina devisi) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae.

Biology

Schooling species. Occurs in estuarine and inshore waters. Probably feeds mainly on planktonic crustaceans. Breeds throughout the year, with peaks in New Ireland waters during May to June or July and possibly also in September to November. Eggs are oval, without a knob at one end.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Encrasicholina devisi
Family: Engraulidae (Anchovies)
Order: Clupeiformes (Herrings)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 8.0
Common length: 7.0
Depth range: 10–13 m (33–43 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 13 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: widespread in the northern part of the Indian Ocean (Gulf of Aden, but apparently not the Red Sea nor Kenya, the Persian Gulf, India, Andaman Islands) and Western Central Pacific (Indonesia, Thailand, north to at least Taiwan Island, south to northern Australia; also eastward to Fiji and Tonga).
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; bait: usually
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=2.00-5.04; tm=0.29; tmax=1.7)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026