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Stolephorus commersonnii, commonly known as Commerson's Anchovy, is a small, schooling pelagic fish belonging to the family Engraulidae. It is a commercially important species in many parts of its range, forming large schools in coastal and estuarine waters. Its slender, silvery body and prominent snout are characteristic features. This species plays a crucial role in marine food webs as a forage fish.
Physical Characteristics
- Body shape
- elongated
- Coloration
- Silvery body, often with a distinct silvery lateral stripe. Dorsal surface is typically darker, ranging from greenish to bluish-grey. Fins are hyaline (transparent).
- Scale type
- cycloid
- Mouth position
- inferior
- Distinctive features
- Snout prominent, conical, projecting beyond the tip of the lower jaw., Maxilla (upper jaw bone) moderately long, reaching to or slightly beyond the posterior margin of the preoperculum., A distinct silvery lateral stripe, often iridescent., Origin of dorsal fin usually slightly anterior to the midpoint of the body., Pelvic fin origin anterior to the dorsal fin origin.
- Dorsal fin
- Single dorsal fin, typically with 12-14 soft rays. No spines.
- Tail fin
- Deeply forked caudal fin.
- Pectoral fin
- Pectoral fins relatively short, with 12-14 rays.
- Distinctive fins
- Anal fin long, originating below the posterior half of the dorsal fin, with 17-20 soft rays. Pelvic fins small, abdominal.
Identification Tips
Snout
The snout is distinctly pointed and projects beyond the lower jaw, a key characteristic of Stolephorus species.
Maxilla Length
The upper jaw bone (maxilla) extends to or slightly past the posterior margin of the preoperculum, but not typically to the gill opening.
Silvery Stripe
Presence of a prominent, often iridescent, silvery stripe along the flank.
Dorsal Fin Origin
The dorsal fin typically originates slightly anterior to the midpoint of the body, and the pelvic fins originate anterior to the dorsal fin.
Habitat
- Water type
- saltwater
- Depth
- Typically found in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and lagoons, from the surface down to about 50 meters.
- Environment
- Pelagic-neritic, forming large schools in turbid coastal waters, often associated with mangrove areas and seagrass beds. Tolerant of a wide range of salinities.
- Geographic range
- Indo-West Pacific: widespread from the Persian Gulf and East Africa, throughout the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, to northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Also found in the Red Sea.
Aquarium Information
- Care level: expert
- Temperament: peaceful
- Diet: filter_feeder
- Minimum tank size: 200 gallons
- Temperature: 24-28°C (75-82°F)
- pH level: 8.1-8.4
- Hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Compatibility: Best kept in species-specific tanks or with very small, peaceful planktivores. Avoid aggressive or predatory fish.
- Special requirements: Requires a very large tank with strong filtration and excellent water quality. Needs constant planktonic food source. Highly sensitive to stress and water parameter fluctuations. Not typically kept in home aquaria due to specialized needs.
Wild Information
- Conservation status: least concern
- Seasonality: Spawning typically occurs year-round in tropical regions, with peaks influenced by monsoon seasons and local environmental conditions. Availability for fisheries can vary seasonally.
- Market price: Varies significantly by region and catch volume, generally low per unit but high in aggregate due to large catches.
- Commercial importance: high
- Taste: Mild, slightly oily, characteristic anchovy flavor.
- Texture: Soft, delicate flesh.
- Cooking methods: Fried, Salted, Dried, Fermented into fish sauce, Used in curries and stews
- Nutritional value: Rich in protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin D.
Key Facts
Forage Fishbehavior
Commerson's Anchovy is a vital forage fish, serving as a primary food source for numerous larger predatory fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, making it a critical component of coastal marine ecosystems.
Schooling Behaviorbehavior
This species forms dense, large schools, a common anti-predator strategy among small pelagic fish. These schools can be vast, sometimes extending for kilometers.
Commercial Importanceinteresting
Despite its small size, S. commersonnii is one of the most important commercial anchovy species in the Indo-Pacific, supporting significant artisanal and industrial fisheries for human consumption, fishmeal, and fish oil.
Rapid Life Cyclebehavior
Commerson's Anchovy has a relatively short lifespan and rapid growth rate, allowing it to reproduce quickly and contribute significantly to biomass turnover in its ecosystem.
Safety Information
Safe- Safety level: safe
- Venomous: No
- Edibility: edible
- Handling notes: No specific handling precautions are required. They are small, delicate fish. Handle gently if caught for consumption or study.
Similar Species
Indian Anchovy
Stolephorus indicus
S. indicus generally has a longer maxilla, extending beyond the preoperculum to or nearly to the gill opening. It also tends to be a larger species, reaching up to 15 cm SL, compared to S. commersonnii's typical maximum of 10 cm SL. The silvery stripe on S. indicus is often less distinct or absent in larger individuals.
Devis' Anchovy
Stolephorus devisi
S. devisi has a shorter maxilla, usually not reaching the posterior margin of the preoperculum. It also typically has fewer anal fin rays (14-16) compared to S. commersonnii (17-20).
Mandeli Anchovy
Stolephorus tri
S. tri has a shorter maxilla, similar to S. devisi, and often has a more robust body. The number of anal fin rays can overlap, but careful examination of maxilla length is crucial.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Clupeiformes
- Family
- Engraulidae
- Genus
- Stolephorus
- Species
- commersonnii
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