Quick Facts
Distribution
Interesting Info
- The Common Hairfin Anchovy is a schooling fish living in brackish waters.
- Common Hairfin are generally used as a bait fish.
- These fish are omnivores and primarily feed on plankton and other small prawns, copepods and crustacean larvae.
- No established lifespan, presumably between 3 and 5 years, like many others in its family.
- They are an important food source in the food chain.
- The main predators of anchovy include seabirds, dolphins, sharks, larger predatory fish and marine mammals.
Species Interaction
Recreational Fishing
The Common Hairfin anchovy also known as the Longfin anchovy are not highly targeted species but can be used as bait fish. They frequent coastal waters in depths up to 50 m (164 ft) but have also been found kilometres up rivers, most notably the Godavari in India.
The Common Hairfin has been spotted in parts of northern WA and the Northern Territory.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Clupeiformes
Family: Engraulidae
Genus: Setipinna
Species: Setipinna tenuifilis
Conservation Status
There is little information on the conservation status of the Common Hairfin Anchovy. This species has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Fish Taste Quality
Common Hairfin anchovy are a edible fish but not a targeted species for consumption.
Taste Rating: 0/5
How to catch
Common Hairfin Anchovy
Catch Difficulty: Intermediate
Tackle: Floater Rig
Bait: Lures, Prawns
Technique: Slowly sink bait towards bottom
Popularity: Not targeted