Latin name

Stolephorus indicus

Other name

Hardenberg's anchovy, kapsali, verli, kollathar, mandeli.

Identification

The body of the Indian anchovy has the typical shape of an anchovy. It is slender, elongated, rather rounded in cross-section, with a rounded abdomen and 2-6 small, needle-shaped forearm lobes. The tip of the upper jaw is pointed and reaches the anterior edge of the forearm or slightly beyond. Posterior margin of forearm convex, rounded. Inferior gill lobes 20-2. The isthmus muscle tapers evenly forward to the posterior border of the gill membrane. There are 2 to 6 small needle-like shields in the ventral region. The tip of the maxilla is pointed and reaches the anterior border of the supraorbital arch. 

Features of fish fins

They have 15 to 17 dorsal soft rays and 18 to 21 anal soft rays. The tips of the pelvic fins do not extend below the beginning of the dorsal fin. The anal fin is short, beginning below the middle of the base of the dorsal fin.

Fish colouring

The body of the Indian anchovy is lightly translucent, fleshy brown with a silvery stripe along the sides. There is no dark pigmentation on the back between the head and the dorsal fin.

Distribution

Widespread in most tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific Ocean from Madagascar and Mauritius east to Australia and further east to Samoa in the west. Recently observed for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea (off Palestine), it has probably migrated through the Suez Canal. It is probably present in neighboring countries, but is overlooked in the Mediterranean due to its similarity in appearance to other engraulids of the region.

Habitat

Marine pelagic-neritic oceanodromous inhabiting depths of 20-50 meters.

Size

The maximum length of these fish does not exceed 15.5 centimeters (6.1 inches). 

Behavior

A gregarious species that inhabits coastal waters and apparently enters at least river mouths and carries brackish water. 

Food and feeding habits

The Indian anchovy usually feeds on plankton.

Reproduction

In Manila Bay, it migrates to deeper and saltier waters (depth of about 9 cm or more) to breed, after which it immediately returns.

Fishing

This species is commercially important for fishing. Widely used as bait in tuna fishing.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. Indian Anchovy is widely available in most markets and supermarkets. This fish is part of the seafood cuisine of India and Southeast Asia.