Anchovies are the members of the Engraulidae family. They are small or moderate-sized fish, typically below 20 cm. They are recognized by their usually prominent pig-like snout projecting beyond tip of lower jaw and their lower jaw almost always long, slender and underslung. Most Indo-Pacific species have prepelvic and often postpelvic scutes.
Anchovies are found in all seas from about 60°N to 50°S. They are typically marine but can also be found in brackish and freshwater. Most of them inhabit shallow coastal waters and estuaries. They frequently occur in large schools. Most species feed on small planktonic animals either by locating individual prey or by filter-feeding.
There are 17 genera and about 145 species of Engraulidae worldwide. Malaysia has about 6 genera and about 32 species.
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Scientific Name: Setipinna taty (Valenciennes, 1848) English Name: Scaly Hairfin Anchovy Local Malay Name: Ikan Kasai Janggut, Bersia, Biang, Empirang Kasai, Ikan Kucing  Scientific Name: Stolephorus commersonnii Lacepède, 1803 English Name: Commerson's Anchovy Mandarin Name: 江鱼仔 (Jiāng yú zǐ), 孔氏小公鱼 (Kǒng shì xiǎo gōng yú) Local Malay Name: Ikan Bilis, Pusu, Teri(Indonesia), Bilis Tembaga Hokkien: Kang Hu Kia Size: Maximum standard length 10 cm, commonly 8.5 cm.  Scientific Name: Stolephorus indicus (van Hasselt, 1823) English Name: Indian Anchovy Mandarin Name: 江鱼仔 (Jiāng yú zǐ), 印度侧带小公鱼 (Yìndù cè dài xiǎo gōng yú) Local Malay Name: Ikan Bilis, Pusu, Teri(Indonesia), Bilis Paku, Bilis Bunga Air Hokkien: Kang Hu Kia Size: Maximum standard length 15.3 cm, usually between 10 and 12 cm.  Scientific Name: Thryssa dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1848) English Name: Dussumier's Thryssa Local Malay Name: Ikan Kasai Daun, Kasai Minyak, Bokok Daun 
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