Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

Bay Anchovy

Bay Anchovy, Anchoa mitchilli  family Engraulidae.

Other Names: Glass Minnows

Description: The Bay Anchovy is a small silvery forage fish with a total length of roughly 4 inches. Compared to the co-occurring and larger striped anchovy, Anchoa hepsetus, the Bay Anchovy has a shorter snout and the silvery stripe on the side of the body is less distinct. Bay anchovies are characterized by a single dorsal fin, a silvery head and lateral stripe, silvery belly and a very long jaw. The larger striped anchovy has a more distinct lateral stripe and longer snout (longer than eye diameter).

Importance: The Bay Anchovy consumes zooplankton and small invertebrates. The anchovy is a significant food source for almost every predatory fish in its environment, including Trout, Flounder, and Redfish. It is also extremely important to marine mammals and birds such as Terns as they feed extensively on anchovies. The Bay Anchovy is a priority species because of its importance as a prey base for many animals.

Typical Habitat: They are found in scattered areas throughout the world's oceans, but are concentrated in temperate waters, and are rare or absent in very cold or very warm seas. They are generally very accepting of a wide range of temperatures and salinity. Large schools can be found in shallow, brackish areas with muddy bottoms, as in estuaries and bays.