Anchovy

Snout about 3/4 eye diameter; maxilla long, tip pointed, reaching to or a little beyond edge of gill cover; anterior gill rakers mere stumps; hind border of gill cover with a small triangular projection; panamensis-type gill cover canals. Pectoral fin long; anal fin origin below midpoint of dorsal fin base. A silver stripe along flank in small individuals, disappearing with age (Ref. 189).

Probably an extended spawning season in Costa Rica (small fishes caught in February, September and October (Ref. 189). Spawn in school (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 31 - 37

Feeds on fish and shrimps (Ref. 189). Trawled down to 40 m, but usually in shallower water and entering river mouths, with one record from about 16 km up the Suriname River and apparently common in brackish water and fresh water in the Orinoco delta at Tucupita; also abundant in the fresh water Pedro Miguel Lock, Panama.

A coastal species that apparently forms large schools. Enters brackish and fresh waters. Feeds on small fishes (including clupeoids) and prawns (Ref. 12225). Seems to spawn over an extended period in Costa Rica (small fishes caught in February, September and October). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9298).

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family