Australian anchovy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian anchovy |
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| Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling | |
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Engraulis
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E. australis
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| Engraulis australis (J. White, 1790)
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The Australian anchovy, known scientifically as Engraulis australis, is a small fish that belongs to the anchovy family. You can find this type of anchovy swimming in the waters off south-east Australia and around New Zealand.
Contents
What is an Anchovy?
Anchovies are small, shiny fish that often swim together in huge groups called schools. They are usually silver-green or blue on their backs and silvery on their sides. Even though they are small, they play a big role in the ocean's food web.
Where Do Australian Anchovies Live?
The Australian anchovy prefers to live in coastal waters. This means they are found closer to the land, in areas like bays and estuaries. These places offer them protection and plenty of food.
What Do Australian Anchovies Eat?
Australian anchovies mostly eat tiny living things found in the water called plankton. Plankton can be very small plants or animals that drift in the ocean currents. Anchovies are filter feeders, which means they swim with their mouths open to strain plankton from the water.
Why Are Australian Anchovies Important?
Even though they are small, anchovies are a key part of the ocean's food chain. Many larger fish, seabirds, and marine mammals rely on anchovies as a food source. This makes them very important for the health of the ocean ecosystem.
For humans, the Australian anchovy is not a major fish for eating directly. Instead, it is mostly used as bait by people who are fishing for other, larger fish.
References
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2006). "Engraulis australis" in FishBase. January 2006 version.
- Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN: 0-00-216987-8
