Fish Identification Photos: Silverstripe Anchovy, Anchoa argentivittata: The Silverstripe Anchovy is characterized by an elongated cylindrical body, long blunt snout, long upper jaw, and mouth that reaches the gill openings.

The Silverstripe Anchovy has a short anal fin base, short pectoral fins that do not reach the pelvic fins, and longer pelvic fins that do reach the dorsal fin origin.

A key identification characteristic is that the anal fin originates immediately below the last dorsal ray. The Silverstripe Anchovy is grey-green and has a wide silver stripe equal in width to its eyes. It reaches a maximum length of 5 inches.

The Silverstripe Anchovy is a pelagic species found in the first 30 feet of the water column over sand and gravel bottoms.

The species can easily be confused with the Gulf of California Slender Anchovy, Anchoa ischana (anal fin originating behind the end of the dorsal fin, broadening silver stripe on side), Heller’s Anchovy, Anchoa helleri (anal fin originates under last rays of dorsal fin), and the Slender Anchovy, Anchoa exigua (anal fin originating under the center of the dorsal fin).

In Mexico, the Silverstripe Anchovy is only found within a 75-mile radius of La Paz, Baja California Sur, and along the coast of the mainland from Guaymas to Guatemala. It is absent from the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, and from around the oceanic islands.

The Silverstripe Anchovy is a member of the Engraulidae or Anchovy Family.

Silverstripe Anchovy, Anchoa argentivittata: Shows up in abundance as bycatch mixed in with Flatiron Herring (sardinas) and Yellowfin Herring (anchovies) when one purchases a “scoop of bait” during the winter season. Caught in the surf zone, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, with water temperatures below 78 degrees, early morning, in 5 to 10 foot deep water, utilizing a cast net by panguero bait salesmen. Size varies from 4 to 5 inches and it is virtually weightless. Does not survive a panga “bait tank” and therefore is used as either chum or as a bait with 5 or 6 pinned to a 2/0 hook and sent “down deep.” Description and photo courtesy John Snow.