The aim of this work was to study the influence of microbiological load of spices in the microflora of anchovy marinades. Microorganisms were not detected in anchovy at the end of the marinating stage, previous to packaging the marinated fillet. In the spices used, the microorganisms found were Lactobacillus paracasei paracasei 1, Bacillus mycoides, and Monilia spp. in black pepper; L. cellobiosus and B. mycoides in bay leaves; L. acidophilus and B. mycoides in paprika; and L. acidophilus, B. mycoides and Micrococcus varians in milled red pep per. After three months of storage of marinated anchovy at 4°C and 18°C only L. paracasei paracasei 1, L. acidophilus 1, M. varias and B. mycoides were found. Several of these bacteria were from spices and were considered typical of marinades, since the homeostatic mechanisms were adaptable in the medium.