Although it seldom exceeds 4 inches in length, the Bay Anchovy is the most abundant and fish in the Chesapeake Bay. Bay anchovies prefer small creeks, coves, and areas of aquatic vegetation where they can feed on zooplankton and hide from predators.
Throughout much of the watershed, Bay anchovies are an important food sources for striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, speckled trout, white perch, Atlantic croakers, red drum, and other inshore species.