Anchovy Anchovy An anchovy is a small, common forage fish of the family Engraulidae. Most species are found in marine waters, but several will enter brackish water and some in South America are restricted to fresh water. The more than 140 species are placed in 17 genera; they are found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, and in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Anchovies are usually classified as oily fish. Anchovies are small, green fish with blue reflections due to a silver-colored longitudinal stripe that runs from the base of the caudal (tail) fin. They range from in
Brown wrasse a blue-white longitudinal stripe on sides. Old specimens are dark blue, sometimes dark green or brownish. Soft part of dorsal, anal and caudal fins are outlined with light blue stripe. Smaller specimens form small, loose schools, but larger and older specimens are found solitary. It feeds on sea urchins, ophiuroids, mollusks, crabs and worms. Maturity occurs after two years at lengths between and . At age of 7, males measure around and females around . Maximum age is around 16–17 years. This species spawns from February to May in the western Mediterranean Sea. Demersal eggs are laid amongst rocks and