European Anchovy
ExploreFish
European Anchovy
Engraulis encrasicolus
The European Anchovy is a small fish that is often found in warm waters. They are known for their strong flavor and are used in many dishes!
Habitat: Warm coastal waters
Appearance
The European Anchovy is a small, slender fish with a silvery-white belly and a bluish-green to black back. It has a distinctive pointed snout and a large mouth that extends behind its eye, setting it apart from other small schooling fish.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTeleosteiOrderClupeiformesFamilyEngraulidaeGenusEngraulis
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Anchovy populations can change dramatically from year to year, sometimes booming and sometimes declining!
Despite their small size, anchovies are an incredibly important food source for many larger ocean animals.
Many ancient civilizations, like the Romans, used anchovies to make a famous fermented sauce called garum!
Their tiny, transparent eggs float freely in the ocean, drifting with currents until they hatch into larvae.
Special abilities
Ability
Super Sniffer
European Anchovy can detect tiny food particles with its sensitive olfactory organs, helping it find meals efficiently.
Ability
School Shield
European Anchovy has evolved to swim in massive schools that helps them confuse predators and find safety in numbers.
Ability
Glow Gills
European Anchovy has specialized gill rakers that help them filter-feed tiny plankton efficiently from the water.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-20 cm
- Weight
- 0.01-0.03 kg
- Lifespan
- 2-4 years
- Swim Speed
- 15 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 400 m
- Water Type
- Saltwater
Diet & Feeding
These tiny fish are filter-feeders, straining microscopic plants and animals from the water.
Primary Foods
- phytoplankton
- zooplankton
- larval crustaceans
Foraging Method
- Filter Feeding
Ecological connections
eaten by
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel are common predators of anchovy schools.
eaten by
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus thynnus
Tuna rely heavily on anchovies as a vital food source.
eaten by
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellis
Gulls dive into anchovy schools for easy meals.
eaten by
Harbor Porpoise
Phocoena phocoena
Porpoises actively hunt anchovies in coastal waters.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
AnchovyMediterranean Anchovy
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is European Anchovy?
10-20 cm
How much does European Anchovy weigh?
0.01-0.03 kg
How long does European Anchovy live?
2-4 years
What does European Anchovy eat?
These tiny fish are filter-feeders, straining microscopic plants and animals from the water.
How fast can European Anchovy swim?
15 km/h
Where is European Anchovy usually found?
Warm coastal waters
How does European Anchovy hunt?
Filter Feeding
How deep can European Anchovy go?
400 m
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