Anchovy

• Other names

  European anchovy

• Similar species

  baltic herring, sprat

• Size

  9–12 cm.

• Appearance

  Anchovies are small, slender, streamlined fish resembling herrings. Identified by the large mouth, which extends back well beyond the eye. Pointed snout protrudes beyond lower jaw, lateral line straight. Scales large, easily detached.

• Colouring

  Back dark green, sides silver with steel blue band along each side.

• Reproduction

  Does not spawn in Finnish waters.

• Food

  Plankton.

• Distribution and habitat

  Anchovies are true sea fish and thus rare in the brackish water of the Baltic Sea. Enters the Baltic following a heavy inflow of salt water through the Straits of Denmark. Thought to have spawned in the southern Baltic. Has been caught in Finnish waters on a few occasions.

Anchovies are among the most heavily exploited food fishes in Europe’s seas. They are mostly salted and canned or made into anchovy paste.