Natural history
FishBase describes both eggs and larvae as planktonic, while spawning occurs in schools. Young stages therefore occupy the water column rather than developing in a guarded bottom nest. A Newport Bay study summarized in the account found particularly abundant eggs in May; this is a local observation rather than a calendar for the entire range.
Although usually described as filter feeders, deepbody anchovy have also been observed selecting individual food items. This flexibility is useful context for a fish feeding on plankton whose size and availability change through the day and season.
Sources: Anchoa compressa species summary
