Key Anchovy

Body somewhat compressed and slender. Snout less than eye diameter; maxilla long, tip pointed, reaching almost to gill opening; gill cover canals of walkeri-type. Anal fin moderately long, its origin below about midpoint of dorsal fin base. A silver stripe along flank, a little less than eye diameter (Ref. 189). Melanophores on underside of snout do not reach premaxillae, leaving an unpigmented area (Ref. 7251).

Spawn in school (Ref. 205).

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 21 - 26

A schooling fish, apparently preferring clear oceanic waters.

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