Anchoa mundeola (Gilbert & Pierson, 1898)
False Panama anchovy
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Engraulinae
Max. size:  12.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Sonora, Mexico to Panama Bay. Misidentified as Anchoa panamensis which occurs only in Panama Bay, thus most Anchoa panamensis records north of the Bay will refer to Anchoa mundeola.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 27-33. Body moderately deep. Snout pointed, about 1/2 to 3/4 eye diameter; maxilla moderate, tip somewhat bluntly pointed, reaching to middle of inter-operculum; gill cover canals of panamensis-type. Anal fin long, its origin under anterior rays of dorsal fin (occasionally just in front). A narrow silver stripe along flank, less than eye diameter.
Biology:  The habitat and biology is probably similar to A. panamensis. In the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica, A. mundeola was noted to occur only in the northern part where salinities are generally lower.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 April 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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