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Anchovies

Anchovies are small forage fish in the family Engraulidae, found mainly in marine waters worldwide.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Anchovies are small forage fish in the family Engraulidae, found mainly in marine waters worldwide. They are schooling fish that feed on plankton and are an important part of marine food webs, as well as a widely used food fish in many cuisines.

Description

Anchovies are small, slender fish with a large mouth and pointed snout. They are usually described as oily fish and vary in size and colour by species.

Distribution and habitat

Most anchovy species live in marine waters across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans, with additional populations in the Mediterranean and Black seas. Some species tolerate brackish water, and a few are restricted to freshwater in South America.

Ecology and diet

Anchovies feed mainly on plankton and other small particles in the water column. Because they occur in huge schools, they are a major prey item in open-ocean and coastal food webs.

Use by humans

Anchovies are harvested for food and bait, and some species are especially important in regional cuisines. European anchovy is among the best-known edible species.

Key facts

  • Anchovies belong to the family Engraulidae and are closely related to herrings.
  • They are schooling fish that occur in large numbers.
  • Most species live in shallow tropical or warm temperate seas.
  • Anchovies are an important food source for larger fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.
  • Several species are used as human food, bait, or both.
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Canadian context

Anchovies are sold in Canada as fresh, salted, or canned food and are familiar as a pizza and salad ingredient. They are also relevant to Canadian marine ecology because anchovy populations can influence coastal food webs along the Pacific coast.

Frequently asked questions

What are anchovies?
Anchovies are small schooling fish in the family Engraulidae, found mostly in marine waters.
How many species of anchovies are there?
There are more than 140 described species.
Where do anchovies live?
Most live in shallow tropical or warm temperate seas, but some also enter brackish water and a few live in freshwater.
What do anchovies eat?
They mainly feed on plankton and other tiny drifting organisms.
Why are anchovies ecologically important?
They are a key prey species for larger fish, seabirds, and marine mammals and help transfer energy through marine food webs.
Are anchovies used by humans?
Yes. They are used as food in many cuisines and also as bait in some fisheries.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/anchovy
    Supports: Family Engraulidae, schooling behaviour, habitat, diet, size, and human use
  2. FishBase — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Engraulidae.html
    Supports: Family-level classification, species diversity, and distribution
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchovy
    Supports: General overview of species count, habitat range, and use as food
  4. Allrecipes — https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-are-anchovies/
    Supports: Anchovies as forage fish and human food
  5. Britannica Kids — https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/anchovy/600633
    Supports: Basic biological traits, schooling, habitat, and diet