European Anchovy

Engraulis encrasicolus

Least Concern Saltwater

Comprimento Máximo

20,0 cm

Peso Máximo

0,05 kg

Cor

Blue-green metallic back with a …

Faixa de Profundidade

0-400m

Família

Engraulidae

Categoria

Food Fish

Sobre

The European anchovy is a small, schooling fish that plays a vital role in marine food webs. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, it is a culinary staple from pizza toppings to Caesar salad dressing to the fermented fish sauce garum of ancient Rome.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	20,0 cm
Maximum Weight	0,05 kg
Faixa de Profundidade	0-400m

Coloration

Blue-green metallic back with a distinctive bright silver-blue lateral stripe along the mid-flank; belly silvery-white; slender body with large thin scales; fins are clear and colorless.

Habitat & Distribution

Neritic, estuaries

Tipo de Água

Saltwater

Faixa de Profundidade

0-400m

Distribuição Geográfica

Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and eastern Atlantic from the British Isles south to South Africa. Forms large pelagic shoals on continental shelf waters; key spawning grounds in the Adriatic, Bay of Biscay, and Azov Sea.

Países

🇻🇳 Vietnam

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Distribution Map

Present Not recorded countries

Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

European Anchovy is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Comestibilidade e Culinária

Sabor

Intensely savory, oily flesh with high umami and salt-cured depth; rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Essential in Mediterranean cuisines — used in pasta, pizza, salads, and as anchovy paste.

Taxonomy

Ordem	Perciformes (Perch-like fishes)
Família	Engraulidae (Anchovies)
Espécies	Engraulis encrasicolus

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
French	Anchois
Spanish	Boquerón

Perguntas Frequentes

Can you eat European Anchovy?

Intensely savory, oily flesh with high umami and salt-cured depth; rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Essential in Mediterranean cuisines — used in pasta, pizza, salads, and as anchovy paste.

How big does European Anchovy get?

European Anchovy can grow up to 20.0 cm long and weigh 0.05 kg.

Where is European Anchovy found?

Is European Anchovy endangered?

The conservation status of European Anchovy is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does European Anchovy belong to?

European Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) belongs to the family Engraulidae (Anchovies) in the order Perciformes (Perch-like fishes).