Northern Anchovy
Engraulis mordax

Physical Description

• A small, slim fish with a long snout over a large mouth that is often open while swimming.
• Blue-green coloration on top, silvery on bottom; faint silver stripe on side.
• Can be 7 inches in length.

Range

• From British Columbia to Baja California, Mexico, including the Gulf of California.

Habitat

• Usually found in open coastal waters within approximately 20 miles from shore.

Reproduction

• They have a very short lifecycle. They are able to spawn after two years and rarely live past four.
• They spawn throughout the year, though it peaks from February to April.
• Females can lay eggs every 7-10 days.
• Depending on water temperature, eggs hatch after 2-4 days.

Diet

• Feeds on small invertebrates, including euphausiids, copepods, and decapod larvae.

Predators

• Humans, tuna, sharks, birds, albacore, Pacific chub mackerel, and marine mammals.

Interesting Facts

• They like to socialize in very large, dense schools near the ocean surface. In July of 2014, a swarm of millions of anchovies swarmed off Scripps Pier; it was approximately 50 feet wide and 325 feet long! 
• The Northern anchovy feeds both by random filter-feeding and by ‘pecking’ at prey.
• They use scent to find prey, but they can mistake the scent of plastic for food! Keeping plastic out of the ocean can help save the Northern anchovy.

Sources: Fishwatch.gov; NOAA Fisheries; California Sea Grant

Photo: Monterey Bay Aquarium