Anchovy

Somewhat compressed. Snout pointed, about 3/4 eye diameter; maxilla pointed, long, reaching to hind border of pre-operculum; walkeri-type gill cover canals. Anal fin origin below about midpoint of dorsal fin base. Anus advanced, nearer to pelvic fin tips than to anal fin origin. Silver stripe along flank with a dark line above, expanded over anal fin, about 3/4 eye diameter (Ref. 189). Back gray, top of head iridescent. Melanophores evenly scattered on back, forming a middorsal line, especially rearward (Ref. 7251).

Spawn in school (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 19 - 26

Occurs in coastal waters, forming dense schools. Not entering the mangrove-lined lagoons of the Venezuelan mainland, but is the dominant species of the Los Roques Archipelago off Venezuela and there found as much in the lagoons as outside them. Frequently caught in mixed schools (with A. mitchilli) in the Miami area. Feeds on zooplankton. Ripe females recorded off Florida in June and July. More data needed.

fisheries: subsistence fisheries; bait: usually