saltwater, pelagic, estuarine
Commerson's Anchovy (Larval stage)
Stolephorus commersonnii
Elongated, slender body that is nearly transparent in the larval stage. Displays a prominent line of melanophores (dark pigment spots) along the ventral Surface. Large prominent eyes and a developing sub-terminal mouth typical of the Engraulidae family.…
- Habitat
- Found in coastal marine waters, lagoons, and estuaries a…
- Size & weight
- As larvae, they are several millimeters long.…
- Diet
- Primarily zooplanktivorous, feeding on small crustaceans…
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Physical characteristics
Elongated, slender body that is nearly transparent in the larval stage. Displays a prominent line of melanophores (dark pigment spots) along the ventral Surface. Large prominent eyes and a developing sub-terminal mouth typical of the Engraulidae family. Fins are just beginning to develop their definitive ray structures in these specimens.
Habitat & distribution
Found in coastal marine waters, lagoons, and estuaries across the Indo-West Pacific, including Sri Lanka. Adults prefer muddy-bottomed areas while larvae are common in plankton-rich surface waters of lagoons.
Behavior
Schooling species that exhibits diurnal migrations; larvae are often found in the upper water column of lagoons during ichthyoplankton surveys.
Diet
Primarily zooplanktivorous, feeding on small crustaceans like copepods, and other planktonic organisms using gill rakers to filter water.
Reproduction
Iteroparous spawners with high fecundity. They release buoyant eggs into the water column; larval development is rapid to minimize predation risk in the plankton layer.
Ecological role
A vital part of the food web, acting as a primary consumer of zooplankton and a major forage base for larger predatory fish, sea birds, and marine mammals.
Similar species
Encrasicholina devisi (Devis's anchovy) and Stolephorus waitei. Distinguished in larval stages by the specific count and distribution of ventral melanophores and myomere count.
Identification tips
Look for the distinctive straight line of ventral pigment spots and the elongated, glassy body shape. Large eyes relative to the head size are a key larval feature.
Interesting facts
These fish are highly sensitive to salinity changes, often moving deep into lagoons during high-tide cycles to find optimal breeding conditions. Their прозрачный (transparent) larval state is an evolutionary defense against visual predators.
Field notes
From Sri Lankan lagoon ichthyoplankton survey