Dive.Explo360.fr

scientific endorsement
ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

European Anchovy

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean · Black Sea

Anchovies bring coastal waters to life with immense silvery shoals that change direction as if they were a single organism. An essential link in the marine ecosystem, they feed many predators while exploiting rich concentrations of plankton near the surface.

Habitat de European Anchovy Habitat
Open water, Rocky habitat
Profondeur de European Anchovy Depth
1-150 m
Groupe biologique de European Anchovy Group
Pelagic fish
Rôle écologique de European Anchovy Role
Filter feeder

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The European Anchovy is a small fish with a slim, elongated body, perfectly adapted to shoaling and fast swimming. Its back has blue-green reflections, while its sides and belly are silver.It can be recognised by its wide mouth, which extends behind the eye. Its body is more slender than a sardine's, and its eyes appear proportionally large.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

Anchovies live in large shoals in coastal and pelagic areas. They mainly occupy the surface layers of the sea but can swim deeper depending on environmental conditions.They occur in the Mediterranean and the north-east Atlantic. Their movements are influenced by water temperature and plankton availability.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

They mainly feed on zooplankton, made up of small organisms such as microscopic crustaceans and larvae.They capture food by filtering water through their gill rakers as they swim within shoals.

GO FURTHER WITH AMIGANSEAU

Unlock the full profile

Deepen your knowledge with the exclusive chapters and interactive resources included in an AMIGANSEAU licence.

Choose my licence
  • HOW DOES IT REPRODUCE?
  • OUR OBSERVATIONS
  • UNDERSTAND THE SPECIES

Also included in the full profile

  • Advanced navigation between description, ecological context, observations and behaviour
  • Interactive food chain to explore the species’ feeding relationships
  • Natural history podcast and dive debrief
  • Infographic and illustrated summary profile
An active licence gives access to enriched profiles and AMIGANSEAU exploration tools.

Other species — Pelagic fish

Bogue Yellowmouth Barracuda Pilot fish Greater amberjack Ocean sunfish

Same habitat and depth

Open-water species Rocky seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Filter-feeding species

🧠 Understand the species

What is this species’ ecological role?

AMIGANSEAU Explorer Premium

Access enriched species profiles with advanced content (audio, infographics and detailed articles).

Explore all species easily through a single interface.

Enjoy a smooth, fast learning experience suited to every level.

🔒 The full profile is available with a paid subscription only.

Discover licences
DEPTH HABITAT PHYLA ECOLOGICAL ROLE

From recognition to understanding

After recognising a marine species, watch it in its environment in the diving videos. Articles and learning paths help you understand its habitat and its relationships with other organisms; games help you remember your discoveries.