Slender Sprat, Spratelloides gracilis (Schlegel, 1846)

Scientific name: Spratelloides gracilis
Alternative name/s:
Silver Stripe Round Herring
Slender Sprat, <i>Spratelloides gracilis</i> Click to enlarge image
A school of Slender Sprat at a depth of 1m, North Direction Island, Queensland, 30 Dec 2012. The species can be recognised by its relatively narrow body and broad lateral stripe. Thank you to Dr Tom Munroe for his help identifying the fish. Image: Anne Hoggett
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Spratelloides
    Species
    gracilis
    Family
    Clupeidae
    Order
    Clupeidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 9.5 cm in length.

Identification

The Slender Sprat is has a slender, cylindrical body. There is a bright silver stripe along the side of the body.

Habitat

It is a pelagic, schooling species that occurs primarily in shallow coastal waters.

Distribution

The species occurs widely thoughout the Indo-west Pacific region.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Munroe, T.A, Wongratana, T and M.S. Nizinski in Carpenter, Kent E. & Niem, Volker H., 1999. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 3. Batoid fishes, chimaeras and bony fishes part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae) 2069-2790.