Anchovy

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/anchovy

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Family Engraulidae, comprising over 100 species
2. What is the diet?Microscopic plankton, including phytoplankton and zooplankton, filtered from the water column
3. Why are anchovies important for the ocean?Anchovies turn tiny plankton into food that many larger animals need. Their waste also helps keep the water healthy by recycling nutrients.
4. How do people use anchovies in food?People add anchovies whole, as a paste, or in sauces like Caesar dressing or pizza to give a salty, yummy flavor that makes dishes taste special.

Pelagic: Inhabiting the open ocean, away from the coast or the seabed.
Trophic Level: The position an organism occupies in a food chain or food web.
Autolysis: The self-digestion of cells or tissues by their own enzymes.
Umami: The fifth basic taste, characterized by a savory, brothy, or meaty flavor.