Engraulis mordax
Engraulis mordax
(Northern Anchovy)
Marine Fishes
Native Transplant
Collection Info
Point Map
Species Profile
Animated Map

Engraulis mordax Girard, 1854
Common name: Northern Anchovy
Synonyms and Other Names: California anchovy
Taxonomy: available through www.itis.govITIS logo

Identification: Miller and Lea (1972); Eschmeyer et al. (1983); Whitehead et al. (1988); Fischer et al. (1995a).
Size: 18 cm.
Native Range: Marine; Queen Charlotte Island, British Columbia, to tip of Baja and Gulf of California (Ramirez-Hernández and Gonzales Pages 1976; Eschmeyer et al. 1983; Fischer et al. 1995a).

Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Nonindigenous Occurrences:

Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Engraulis mordax are found here.

StateFirst ObservedLast ObservedTotal HUCs with observations†HUCs with observations†
CA195319531Salton Sea

Table last updated 3/28/2025

† Populations may not be currently present.
Means of Introduction: Six thousand fish were intentionally stocked as forage. Stock was obtained from Los Angeles Harbor (Walker et al. 1961).
Status: The introduction failed to produce a viable population and the species is extirpated in the Salton Sea.
Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.
Remarks: None.
References: (click for full references)

Dill, W. A., and A. J. Cordone. 1997. History and status of introduced fishes in California, 1871--1996. Manuscript for Fish Bulletin of the California Department of Fish and Game 178.

Fischer, W., F. Krupp, W. Schneider, C. Sommer, K. E. Carpenter, V. H. Niem. 1995a. Guía FAO para la identificatión de especies para los fines de la pesca. Pacifico centro-oriental. Volumen II. Vertebrados - Parte 1. Vol. II: 647--1200. Roma, FAO.

Miller, D. J., and R. N. Lea. 1972. Guide to the coastal marine fishes of California. Fish Bulletin of the California Department of Fish and Game 157:1--235.

Ramirez-Hernández, E. and A. Gonzales Pages. 1976. Catalogo de peces marinos Mexicanos. Mexico, D. F.: Secretaría de Industia y Comercio, Instituto Nacional de Pesca. 462 pp.

Walker, B. W., R. R. Whitney, and G. W. Barlow. 1961. Fishes of the Salton Sea. Pages 77--92 in B. W. Walker, editor. The ecology of the Salton Sea, California, in relation to the sport fishery of California. Fish Bulletin of the California Department of Fish and Game 113.

Whitehead, J. P., G. J. Nelson, and T. Wongratana. 1988. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 7. Clupeoid Fishes of the World (Suborder Clupeoidei). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the herrings, sardines, pilchards, sprats, anchovies and wolf-herrings. Part 2 -- Engraulidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis (125) Vol. 7, Pt. 2:305--579.

Other Resources:
FishBase Summary
Author: Fuller, P.
Revision Date: 12/5/2003
Peer Review Date: 12/5/2003

Citation Information:
Fuller, P., 2025, Engraulis mordax Girard, 1854: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=672, Revision Date: 12/5/2003, Peer Review Date: 12/5/2003, Access Date: 3/28/2025

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.

Disclaimer:

The data represented on this site vary in accuracy, scale, completeness, extent of coverage and origin. It is the user's responsibility to use these data consistent with their intended purpose and within stated limitations. We highly recommend reviewing metadata files prior to interpreting these data.

Citation information: U.S. Geological Survey. [2025]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [3/28/2025].

Contact us if you are using data from this site for a publication to make sure the data are being used appropriately and for potential co-authorship if warranted.

For general information and questions about the database, contact Wesley Daniel. For problems and technical issues, contact Matthew Neilson.



Disclaimer:

The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.



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