388 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
probably escape capture, because they evidently seldom enter shallow water near 
the shores where they would be caught in fish nets, and being principally pelagic in 
their habits, efficient apparatus for their capture at sea, at or near the surface, is not 
available. 
ANCHOVIELLA EPSETUS (Bonnaterre) and ANCHOVIELLA MITCHILLI 
(Cuvier and Valenciennes). Anchovies 
Only two species of anchovies, namely, Anchoviella epsetus 2 and A. mitchilli, 
are common in the vicinity of Beaufort. Two others, A. perjasciatus and A. argy- 
rophanus, both generally of more southern distribution, have been recorded from there 
once. These species were not seen during the present investigation and may be re- 
garded as mere stragglers. The life histories of the two common anchovies of Beau- 
fort are closely related, and it seems advisable to consider them together. They are 
both of wide distribution; A. epsetus ranging from Cape Cod, Mass., to Uruguay 
and A. mitchilli from Cape Cod to Brazil. Locally A. mitchilli is much more numer- 
ous than its relative. 
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 
So far as known to the writers, anchovies are not used commercially in America, 
although in Europe they are packed in oil somewhat similar to sardines. A. epsetus 
reaches a maximum length of about 6 inches and a weight of 1 ounce, and an average 
length of about 4% inches with a weight of one-half ounce. This size, therefore, 
apparently is sufficiently large, and if this fish could be obtained regularly and in suffi- 
cient quantity over a considerable period of time, it probably could be utilized com- 
mercially. This, apparently, is not possible locally, as it is erratic and uncertain in 
its appearance. A. mitchilli, on the other hand, is much more constantly present and 
much more numerous. Since it seldom reaches a length of 4 inches and its average 
length is only about 3 inches, its size probably is too small for commercial use. 
The economic importance of the local anchovies, therefore, is indirect and prob- 
ably only as they enter into the food of commercial fishes. In this respect they ap- 
pear to be very important, for anchovies occur in the stomach contents of local preda- 
tory fishes more often than any other fish, with the possible exception of the silver- 
sides. The smaller anchovy, A. mitchilli, probably because of its greater abundance 
and more universal local distribution, is by far the more important of the two in this 
respect. These small fishes quite certainly are of much economic value and their 
great importance as food for commercial fishes generally is not realized. 
SPAWNING 
Comparatively little information is obtainable in the literature concerning 
spawning in the two species of anchovies now under consideration. Kuntz (1914, 
p. 13) found the eggs of A. mitchilli in the tow when Ke began working at Beaufort 
on June 9, 1913, and every day until he quit on August 23, and he concludes that 
the height of the spawning season probably is reached during July. Hildebrand 
and Schroeder (1928, pp. 110 and 111) state that the spawning seasons of these two 
species appear to be identical in Chesapeake Bay, and that both extend through 
May, June, July, and August. 
The collection of the eggs and the young at Beaufort during the present inves- 
tigation appears to show, however, that A. epsetus begins spawning earlier than 
2 This species long was known as brownii but this name had to give way to epsetus, owing to the law of priority. (Jordan and 
Seale, 1926, p. 396.) 
