Nehu (Encrasicholina purpurea)

Scientific name: Encrasicholina purpurea Fowler, 1900

Nehu (Encrasicholina purpurea)

The Nehu (Encrasicholina purpurea) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae. Native range: Eastern Central Pacific, endemic to Hawaii, but its use as a baitfish may spread its range.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13 - 15. Most specimens without pre-pelvic scutes, but some with 1 to 5 thin needle-like scutes. Maxilla tip blunt, reaching to front border of pre-operculum, but scarcely projecting beyond second supra-maxilla. Isthmus short, preceded by a small fleshy plate on urohyal between branchial membranes. Anal fin short, its origin behind base of last dorsal fin ray.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Encrasicholina purpurea
Family
Engraulidae (Anchovies)
Order
Clupeiformes (Herrings)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
7.5
Depth range
0–50 m (0–164 ft)
Environment
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; depth range 0 - 50 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Eastern Central Pacific: endemic to Hawaii, but its use as a baitfish may spread its range.
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=1.7)

Sources

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

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