Fish crepuscular

Northern Anchovy

Engraulis mordax

The shimmering silver engine of the Pacific ecosystem. These tiny but mighty schooling fish are the vital link between plankton and the ocean's greatest predators.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Typically 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) in length, reaching a maximum of 23 cm (9 inches). Weight is usually less than 100g (3.5 oz).

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Colors

Metallic blue or greenish-blue along the back, shimmering silver sides and belly; often appearing somewhat translucent.

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Key Features

Exceptionally large mouth extending well past the eye
Deeply forked tail fin
Broad silver stripe running along the side
Slender, cigar-shaped body profile

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern crepuscular

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Peak hours Dawn and dusk for feeding, though schools are visible throughout the day

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Season Year-round, with peak sightings in coastal bays during summer and fall spawning

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Diet Filter feeders that consume zooplankton (like copepods) and phytoplankton by swimming with their large mouths wide open.

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Habitat Pelagic coastal waters, estuaries, and bays; ranging from the surface to depths of 300 meters.

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Behavior

Northern Anchovies are the socialites of the Pacific, living in massive, tightly-packed schools that can number in the millions. This "safety in numbers" strategy is their primary defense against an endless list of predators, including humpback whales, sea lions, and numerous seabird species. They are highly migratory, moving between the deep, cold waters of the open ocean and the sheltered, nutrient-rich environments of bays and estuaries to spawn and forage.

As a keystone species, their presence dictates the health of the entire coastal ecosystem. Their populations are famous for "boom and bust" cycles; during years with cold-water upwellings, their numbers explode, providing a feast for marine life, while warmer water years may see their numbers dwindle as Pacific Sardines take their place. For humans, they are mostly encountered by pier fishers or seen in massive shimmering clouds beneath boat docks.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Northern Anchovy requires an underwater perspective, typically achieved using a tethered waterproof camera or a specialized underwater housing mounted to a dock piling or pier. Position your camera about 2 to 5 feet below the surface in areas where current or tidal flow is present, as these fish often face into the current to feed. These fish are highly sensitive to rapid movement, so a stationary, camouflaged setup attached to a fixed structure works best to avoid spooking the school.

While you do not need traditional bait to attract them, Northern Anchovies are highly attracted to artificial light at night. A submerged LED light or even a strong light shining from a pier onto the water can draw in massive "bait balls" of anchovies, providing a spectacular view of their synchronized schooling behavior. During the day, mounting the camera at a slight upward angle towards the surface can catch the natural "backlighting" of the sun, which makes their silver scales shimmer and pop against the dark water.

Because these fish move in rapid, shimmering bursts, use a high frame rate setting on your camera—at least 60 frames per second (fps)—to avoid motion blur and to allow for smooth slow-motion playback. Ensure your white balance is set for "underwater" or "cloudy" to combat the natural blue or green tint of Pacific coastal waters. In terms of timing, the best footage is often captured during high tide in coastal bays when the water clarity is at its peak and the schools move closer to shore-side structures to escape larger ocean predators.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Northern Anchovy.

Pacific Sardine

Larger body with a series of dark spots along the side and a much smaller mouth that does not extend past the eye.

Pacific Herring

Lacks the distinct silver lateral stripe and has a more symmetrical, smaller mouth compared to the anchovy.

Topsmelt Silverside

Has two dorsal fins instead of one and a much smaller mouth suited for picking at algae and small crustacea.

Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way to distinguish them is by the mouth; the Northern Anchovy has a much larger mouth that extends well past the back of the eye, whereas a sardine's mouth ends before the eye. Anchovies also lack the dark spots typically found on the sides of sardines.

They are filter feeders that primarily eat zooplankton and phytoplankton. They swim through the water with their mouths open, using gill rakers to strain tiny organisms from the water column.

If your 'backyard' includes a saltwater dock, pier, or coastal canal, yes! They frequently enter shallow bays and estuaries, especially during the summer months, and can be seen from the surface.

They are most active during the crepuscular hours of dawn and dusk when they move closer to the surface to feed on plankton, though they remain in schools throughout the day.

They are a 'forage fish' that converts energy from plankton into a food source for hundreds of other species, including salmon, pelicans, dolphins, and whales. The entire marine food web relies on their abundance.

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