Anchoa ischana (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882)
Sharpnose anchovy
Anchoa ischana
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Engraulinae
Max. size:  17 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: southwestern coast of Baja California, Mexico and the Gulf of California to Panama and the Galápagos Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 15-19. Body rather elongate, but somewhat compressed. Snout moderate, about 3/4 eye diameter; maxilla moderate, tip narrowly pointed, reaching onto sub-operculum, but not to edge of gill cover; gill cover canals of panamensis-type. Anal fin short, its origin below posterior third of dorsal fin base. A narrow silver stripe along flank, deeper above anal fin (about 3/4 to 2/3 eye diameter).
Biology:  A schooling species occurring in coastal waters. Pelagic. Frequently caught over sand or gravel in the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica, but also over mud.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 October 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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