Appearance
- Snout very short, only slightly overhanging mouth
- Anal fin begins below beginning of dorsal fin
- Body relatively deep when compared to striped anchovy
- Silver stripe on body, often faint or absent toward front
- Stripe fades after death
Similar Species: Striped anchovy, A. hepsetus (anal fin begins below middle of dorsal fin)
Size: Up to 4 inches
Habitat
Shallow bays and estuaries. Common in brackish waters.
Behavior
Form dense schools and tolerate a wide range of salinities.