Shortfinger Anchovy

Snout long and pointed, only slightly less than eye diameter; maxilla long, tip pointed, reaching almost to gill opening; gill cover canals of panamensis-type; pseudobranch longer than eye diameter, with 30 or more filaments, extending onto inner face of operculum. Pectoral fin with first ray not filamentous. Silver stripe along flank about equal to eye diameter, with dark line above it (Ref. 189). Melanophores evenly distributed, usually not forming a middorsal stripe. Iridescent golden spot on top of head (Ref. 7251).

Spawn in school (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 21 - 23

A schooling species occurring in coastal waters. Feeds on plankton.

A schooling species occurring in coastal waters. Feeds on plankton.

fisheries: subsistence fisheries; bait: usually

Anchoa lyolepis, the shortfinger anchovy, is a species of anchovy native to the western Atlantic Ocean from New York to Brazil. This species can reach a length of 12 centimetres (4.7 in) TL, though they usually do not exceed 9 centimetres (3.5 in) TL. This species is important to local subsistence fisheries and is commonly used as bait.