Lominsan Anchovy

Of the many fishes in the sea, the Lominsan Anchovy is one of the smallest, but with one of the most interesting histories.

The Lominsan Anchovy dwells in the open oceans off the western coast of Eorzea. Demonstrating that strength can be had in numbers as well as size, massive schools of anchovies swarm through the waters, often mimicking the shape of much larger, predatory fish, so as to deter actual predators.

The anchovy was long thought unworthy of deliberate fishing, until a Qiqirn deckhand on a fishing boat discovered one that had been accidentally caught. He declared it delicious, and thus began a craze among Qiqirn and, indeed, other Spoken races, that continues to this day.

Due to their small size, it is difficult to clean and prepare Lominsan Anchovies for more refined cooking and consumption. However, salt-curing appears to lend itself to the easier removal of bones. Once so cured, anchovies are prepared as normal. Unsynwilf Greensleeves of the Bismarck in Limsa Lominsa often requisitions them from Levemetes for what he calls "adventurers' relish"--ground together with butter, breadcrumbs, and spices.

For those with less patience, however, anchovies can be dried and ground to powder, for use as fertilizer in gardens.

The Fishermen's Guild will often set new members to catching Lominsan Anchovies as their first task.