It is a small schooling fish found in depth of 20-50m in most of the tropical areas of the Indo-pacific ocean from Madagascar and Mauritius eastward to Australia and further east to Samoa westwards.

Recently recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea (off Palestine, 2015), it probably migrated via the Suez Canal.

It is likely present in adjacent countries but overlooked in the Mediterranean due to its external resemblance to other engraulids in the region.

Body is a typical engraulid form with light transparent fleshy brown, and silver stripe down flank.

[4] In Sri Lanka, this variety of fish is made into a tasty snack by dipping in a batter of flour, then rolled in bread crumbs and deep fried in oil.