Anchoa lamprotaenia

Anchoa lamprotaenia, Bigeye Anchovy. Source: FAO 2002.
Anchoa lamprotaenia, Bigeye Anchovy.
Source: FAO 2002.
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
EngraulidaeAnchoa lamprotaeniaHildebrand1943Bigeye Anchovy

Anchoa lamprotaenia

Unique CharactersMaxilla long, tip pointed, reaching onto or beyond preoperculum. Pseudobranch short, not extending onto inner face of operculum. Anus opening nearer to pelvic-fin tips than to anal-fin origin. Anal-fin origin more posterior, at or near vertical through midpoint of dorsal fin. Lower gill rakers 17-21.

Anchoa maxilla
Anchoa maxilla Source: FAO 2002

Similar Species:

Bay Anchovy
Anchoa mitchilli

Anchoa mitchilli
Bay Anchovy – Anchoa mitchilli -FL
Photo Credit: Dan Marotta – Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Bay Anchovy, Anchoa mitchilli. Maxilla long, tip pointed, reaching onto or beyond preoperculum. Pseudobranch short, not extending onto inner face of operculum. Anus opening nearer to pelvic-fin tips than to anal-fin origin. Anal-fin origin at vertical through dorsal-fin origin.

Dusky Anchovy
Anchoa lyolepis

Anchoa lyolepis
Dusky Anchovy – Anchoa lyolepis
Source: FAO 2002

Dusky Anchovy, Anchoa lyolepisSnout long, length about equal to eye diameter. Silver stripe on side very wide rearward and bordered above by thin black stripe. Maxilla long, tip pointed, reaching onto or beyond preoperculum. Pseudobranch long, greater than eye diameter, extending onto inner face of operculum.

Cuban Anchovy
Anchoa cubana

Anchoa cubana
Cuban Anchovy – Anchoa cubana
Source: FAO 2002

Cuban Anchovy, Anchoa cubanaAnal-fin origin more posterior, at or near vertical through midpoint of dorsal fin. Maxilla long, tip pointed, reaching onto or beyond preoperculum. Pseudobranch short, not extending onto inner face of operculum. Anus opening nearer to pelvic-fin tips than to anal-fin origin. Lower gill rakers 23-30.

Striped Anchovy
Anchoa hepsetus

Striped Anchovy - Anchoa hepsetus
Striped Anchovy – Anchoa hepsetus

Striped Anchovy, Anchoa hepsetus. Snout length less than eye diameter. Silver stripe on side narrow. Maxilla long, tip pointed, reaching onto or beyond preoperculum. Pseudobranch short, not extending onto inner face of operculum Anus closer to anal-fin origin than to pelvic-fin tips.