Family Engraulidae - anchovies

Anchovies are small silvery fishes which travel in large schools in coastal waters. Distributed worldwide, anchovies serve as an important forage fish for a variety of fishes and birds. They are commercially harvested for human consumption, bait fish and reduction into fish meal.

Northern anchovy- Engraulis mordax

Remarks: Most abundant in the bay in scattered schools during the late summer and fall. Caught outside the bay by commercial fishers for the bait and reduction industries. This fish is an integral part of the marine food web; a food source for larger fishes, marine birds and sea mammals.

Identification: A long and low set mouth with a pointed snout identify the anchovies. This species is round in cross section and the anal fin begins at the rear of the dorsal fin. Body is blue or green above and silver below with a length of 23m.

Range: Baja California to the Queen Charlotte Islands. Normally an offshore pelagic species but often enters estuaries.