Indian Anchovy
Stolephorus indicus · stoh-LEF-or-us IN-dih-kus
diurnalschoolsLeast Concern
EdibleFriendly
Superpower
Underpins the whole food web — almost everything bigger eats anchovies.
At a glance
- Size
- typically 10 cm, up to 16 cm
- Depth
- 0–50 m
Habitat
Coastal surface waters, often near river mouths.
Diet
Plankton, filtered from the water.
Can I eat it?
Yes — edible · tastiness 6/10.
How to cook: Dried as 'dilis', fried whole, or made into fish sauce (patis) and bagoong.
Fun facts
- Dried dilis is a beloved Filipino breakfast and beer snack.
- Anchovies are turned into patis (fish sauce) and bagoong.
- They form the base of the ocean food chain for countless larger fish.