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Sardina Bocona
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This anchovy occurs from the Gulf of California to Panama and is very abundant about Guaymas where it is often cast up dead on the beach in great numbers. It is one of the largest anchovies, reaching a length of 7 or 8 inches.
Head 3 1/2; depth 3; D. 15; A, 28 to 30; scales 35,-9. Body very short and deep, both dorsal and ventral outlines strongly arched; head 1/4 longer than deep; snout very short, not longer than pupil and not projecting far beyond lower jaw; maxillary narrow, rounded behind, extending to angle of preopercle; gillrakers fine, long, and very numerous; abdomen slightly compressed; scales adherent; origin of dorsal slightly behind middle of body; ventrals very small; pectorals rather long. Colour, silvery, side with an indistinct bluish band.
GENUS ENGRAULIS CUVIER
This genus contains those spindle-shaped anchovies of the north and south Temperate zones which have the body little compressed, the sides rounded, the vertebrae in increased number (44 to 47), the flesh rather dark, and tender and somewhat oily but not translucent, the bones soft, the appearance and the flesh resembling that of the sardines.
Only one species within our limits.