Engraulis encrasicholus is often mispronounced due to its complex spelling. The correct pronunciation is [en-GRÔO-lihs en-krə-SÎ-kə-ləs]. The initial sound is represented by the letter "e," followed by "n," and "g" with an "r" sound that follows. The next syllable begins with "au" pronounced as "ô," followed by "l" and "i" with a long "i" sound. The final word has the letter "e" followed by "nc" as in "encre" with an "a" before "si" as in "crash" and "ch" as in "chalk."
Engraulis Encrasicholus, also known as European anchovy, is a small fish species belonging to the family Engraulidae. It is widely distributed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. This pelagic fish is characterized by its elongated body, reaching an average length of 10 to 15 centimeters, with a silver-blue coloration on its upper part and silver-white on its belly.
European anchovies are schooling fish, often forming large aggregations near the surface of coastal waters. They have a significant ecological role as prey for various predator species. These anchovies primarily feed on plankton, including copepods and small crustaceans, which they filter through their gill rakers.
Regarding reproduction, Engraulis Encrasicholus is considered a batch spawner, meaning that it releases several batches of eggs throughout the spawning season. A female European anchovy can produce up to 80,000 eggs per spawn, which are attached to seaweed or other submerged objects. After hatching, the larvae drift with the currents until they grow and develop into juvenile fish.
European anchovies are commercially valuable fish species, highly sought after for their delicate flavor and rich omega-3 fatty acid content. They are commonly consumed fresh, canned, or salted, and widely used in various Mediterranean and European cuisines. Due to their abundance and economic significance, Engraulis Encrasicholus is subject to regulated fishing to maintain sustainable populations and protect the overall marine ecosystem.
The word "Engraulis encrasicholus" is actually the scientific name for the European anchovy, a species of fish found in the Mediterranean Sea and other areas.
The etymology of the word "Engraulis" can be traced back to ancient Greek. It is derived from the Greek word "en", meaning "in", and "graulis", which refers to a small fish. This reflects the small size of the anchovy.
"Encrasicholus", on the other hand, comes from the Greek words "en", meaning "in", and "crasis", which translates to "mixture or blend". The addition of "holos", meaning "whole", in the end, gives the meaning of "whole blended in". This name potentially refers to the way anchovies are commonly used in cooking, being blended or incorporated in various dishes.