| Family: |
Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Coiliinae |
| Max. size: |
20 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m, amphidromous |
| Distribution: |
Indian Ocean: India from Bombay to Calcutta, probably also Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. Western Central Pacific: Thailand to Java, presumably also Kalimantan). Valenciennes listed a specimen from Mahé which lies to the south of Cannanore, India but there is no such specimen in Paris. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 80. Body tapering, belly rounded before pelvic fins, with 5 or 6 (rarely 4) + 7 to 9 = 12 to 15 keeled scutes from just behind pectoral fin base to anus. Maxilla short. Pectoral fin with 6 long filaments and 9 to 11 (rarely 8) branched fin rays. Flanks and belly with golden or pearly spots (light organs) in rows below scales, also along isthmus, edge of lower jaw, on cheek and gill cover. |
| Biology: |
A coastal and estuarine species, occurring in fully saline water, but also able to tolerate lowered salinities, perhaps almost fresh water. Feeds on copepods, prawn and fish larvae, various unidentified crustaceans and cypris, also stomatopod larvae, mysids, polychaete larvae, isopods and Sagitta. The breeding season is perhaps extended; probably entering estuaries to breed (larvae about 5 km up Burhabalang estuary, Orissa, India in May and June). Utilized as a food fish (Ref. 171). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 February 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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