The family Engraulidae is commonly referred to as the anchovy family. This family of small, schooling fish includes over 140 species found in both saltwater and freshwater environments around the world. Other synonyms used for the Engraulidae family include the herring family, sprat family, sardine family, and shad family, as these fish share similar physical features and habitats. While commonly used in human consumption and as bait, the family Engraulidae plays a crucial role in marine ecosystems, serving as a food source for larger predatory fish and sea birds.