| Family: |
Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Engraulinae |
| Max. size: |
9.4 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: western Indian Ocean (from Cochin and southern tip of India to Myanmar) and western Pacific (Thailand, Java Sea, the Philippines, probably Irian Jaya, if not also Papua New Guinea, south to Queensland; perhaps even more widespread). Its geographical overlap and similarity to S. insularis cast doubts on the several Indian studies of `insularis'. One of the commonest species of genus Stolephorus. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-20. Belly with 5 to 7 small needle-like pre-pelvic scutes. Maxilla tip pointed, reaching to hind border of pre-operculum, the latter almost always convex, rounded. Pelvic fin tips only rarely reaching to below dorsal fin origin. Numerous black spots below level of eye and on tip of lower jaw, by which it is generally distinguished from other species; a dark patch behind occiput. |
| Biology: |
A pelagic, schooling species found in coastal waters. Caught mainly with seines (beach and purse), traps often using light, incidentally with bottom trawls. Marketed fresh, dried, dried-salted or made into fish meal, fish sauce fish balls and used as bait (Ref. 9822). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 09 March 2020 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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