Encrasicholina purpurea  Encrasicholina purpurea, the Hawaiian anchovy, known in Hawaiian as nehu, is an anchovy of the family Engraulidae that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian anchovy is similar to the Buccaneer anchovy in having a cylindrical body, but differs in having fewer gillrakers and a shorter maxilla. The Hawaiian anchovy feeds on plankton. It is chiefly marine, frequenting in schools and can tolerate various salinities in fish ponds.