Anchovia macrolepidota (Kner, 1863)
Bigscale anchovy
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Engraulinae
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 57.4 g
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Magdalena Bay, Baja California on the Pacific coast and from San Felipe Bay, Gulf of California south to Gulf of Guayaquil, northern Peru.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 26-29. Snout moderate, pointed, tip at or just above eye center; maxilla moderate, tip pointed and reaching onto pre-operculum (but not beyond), extending beyond second supra-maxilla; sub-operculum with a distinct triangular projection on hind margin; lower gill rakers fine and slender, increasing in larger fishes. Silver stripe along flank ,probably disappearing in larger fishes.
Biology:  Occurs inshore along sandy beaches and in tide streams, forming large schools. Juveniles to about 7 cm occur on beaches and in bays, thereafter moving further from the shore. Feeds by filtering phytoplankton and zooplankton.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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