Key Identification Features
- Key identifying features include a very long jaw, silvery belly, distinct lateral stripe, and single dorsal fin.
- Engraulis encrasicolus, the European anchovy, can be easily recognized by its deeply cleft mouth, where the angle of the gape sits behind the eyes.
- At least some local subpopulations have separate spawning grounds, making them genetically distinct, though spawning grounds can shift.
- Its body is grey-green dotted with black, and its most distinct feature is a silvery stripe that runs all the way from its head to its tail.
For instant identification in the field, use the iNature app — AI-powered, works offline.
