Which characteristics distinguish anchovies from members of the herring family?

Anchovies (family Engraulidae) are distinguished from members of the herring family (family Clupeidae) primarily by their distinct facial structure and mouth size.12

Key characteristics that differentiate anchovies include:

• Mouth and Snout: Anchovies possess a very wide mouth that almost always extends behind the eye, and their snout projects noticeably beyond the mouth. In contrast, herrings typically have smaller mouths, and their teeth are usually absent or very weakly developed compared to the rows of minute teeth found in both jaws of most anchovies.12
• Size: Generally, anchovies are smaller than most clupeids.2
• Habitat: While both groups are members of the order Clupeiformes, anchovies are primarily marine or brackish-water dwellers, whereas the herring family includes a wider variety of species that inhabit marine, anadromous, and freshwater environments.32