Engraulis Japonicus
Colour, Shape and Size
This slender-bodied fish is slightly flattened from side to side, with a distinctly rounded belly. The overall body colour, when freshly caught is bright silver with a bluish upper surface and whitish belly. There is a bight silver strip down each flank. Can attain 13cm.
External Anatomy
The snout of this and related species, typically consists of a blunt projection that overhangs the mouth. In the Cape Anchovy the maxillae are rather short and do not reach beyond the edge of the pre-operculum. The body is covered with
scales, which are easily shed and number 40-45 along the lateral line. A diagnostic feature is the absence of sharp scales and scutes along the belly, a feature found in many other anchovy types. The fins are poorly developed, with only a single dorsal of 12-14 rays, an anal of 13-18 rays and the origin of the anal fin positioned well behind the level of the last dorsal ray. The pelvic fins originate in front of the level of the first dorsal. Gill rakers are very well developed, and number 26-39 on the lower limb of the first arch.
Natural History
This is one of the most abundant and extensively exploited fish in South African waters. It is pelagic species that inhabits coastal waters from the surface to depths of 400m. Enormous concentrations are found off the Cape and Transkei, often displaying diurnal migrations, with shoals closer to the bottom at night. The Cap anchovy is a filter feeder and strains small planktonic animals such as copepods, from the water. As plankton often proliferates in places of upwelling, it follows that acnchovy also congregate in these nutrient rich waters. The Cape anchovy is a serial spawner which means that it has a prolonged breeding season that occurs mainly during spring and summer. The young grow rapidly and oten become catchable by the purse-seine fleet before they attain one year, a factor that may ultimately influence their stock abundance. This species represents a most important source of food for numerous other marine organisms, including bony fish, sharks, dolphins, whales, seals and birds. Shoals of anchovy are often pursued by gamefish, such as tuna. When attacked from below, the anchovy move to the surface where they attract terns and other piscivorous birds. These diving birds then provide the clue to fishermen that feeding gamefish are about.
Capture
Commercial catches are subject to quota.
