Anchoa pectoralis Hildebrand, 1943
Bigfin anchovy
Anchoa pectoralis
photo by FAO

Family:  Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Engraulinae
Max. size:  6.8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 22 m
Distribution:  Southwest Atlantic: mouth of Para River southward to Cananéia, Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 22-25. Snout short, about 1/2 eye diameter; maxilla shorter than in most other Anchoa species, tip pointed, not reaching beyond hind margin of pre-operculum; gill cover canals of walkeri-type. Pectoral fins large, reaching about pelvic fin origin; anal fin fairly long, its origin below or just before midpoint of dorsal fin base. A silver stripe along flank, less than eye diameter.
Biology:  Presumably schooling along beaches and down to 22 m. A single specimen was recorded from Coqueiros at the mouth of the Paraguaçu River, thus able to tolerate lowered salinities. More data needed.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 March 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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