European anchovy
D-Sardelle; GB-European anchovy; DK-Ansjos; PL-Sardela europejska, chamsa, sardela; LT-Ančiuvis; LV-Anšovs; EST-Anšoovis; RU-Европейский анчоус; FIN-Sardelli; S-Ansjovis
Characters
1) Mouth clearly sub-terminal (maxilla overlaps lower jaw).
2) Mouth opening reaches well behind eye.
3) Origin of pelvic fins clearly before origin of dorsal fin.
Often about 13 cm length, max. up to 20 cm length.
Similar species
Herring - mouth superior and much shorter.
Sprat - mouth superior and much shorter.
Biology
Live in stocks in free waters, during summer near to the coast and often also in brackish waters; they reach sexual maturity with 2 years.Diet
They feed on zooplankton.Importance
In the distribution area of high commercial importance as food fish, bait fish, in the fish oil and fish meal production.Endangerment
Presumably not endangered.Engraulis encrasicolus
