Additional field notes
Dusky anchovy, also called short-finger anchovy, is a small, slender fish of coastal waters. A broad reflective side stripe can make a school flash silver against darker water.
Sources: Anchoa lyolepis species account
Field identification notes
The snout projects beyond the lower jaw, and the mouth extends well behind the eye. The upper body is translucent gray. A silver stripe about as wide as the eye runs along the flank and may have a dark upper border. The short pectoral fins lack a long trailing filament.
Sources: Anchoa lyolepis species account
Habitat and range notes
The Smithsonian places it in marine coastal water, particularly around beaches and mangrove-lined lagoons. Its regional account runs from New York to Brazil. The habitat description does not justify assuming that every anchovy found deep inside a low-salinity estuary is this species.
Sources: Anchoa lyolepis species account
Feeding and life-history notes
Animal plankton is its recorded food category, and the account lists pelagic eggs and larvae. The maximum reported size is 12 cm. Separating small anchovies often requires close examination of the mouth, fin positions, and gill structures; a silver stripe and a schooling habit are not enough by themselves.
Sources: Anchoa lyolepis species account
Guide sources
Research reviewed 2026-10-17.
- Anchoa lyolepis species account — Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Article text: Wikipedia contributors, Anchoa lyolepis (source revision). Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Retrieved 2026-10-11.
