Marine Life

Silver sprat

Rehi

Spratelloides gracilis

Spratelloides gracilis is one of the most widely used baits for pole and line tuna fishing in the Maldives, and is preferred over other species of bait. On the eastern side of the Maldives, it is most common during the southwest monsoon, while on the western side it is most common during the northeast monsoon. This species was previously recorded as S. japonicus.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 9.5 cm
color: Dark blue dorsally, silvery white ventrally. A very distinct silvery lateral band from operculum extends to the base of caudal fin.
order: Clupeiformes
family: Clupeidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/spratelloides-gracilis.png
habitat and biology: Typically found in pelagic and inshore waters, large schools of fish can be seen within the atolls.
distinctive characters: The body is slender, with a pectoral fin that is slightly shorter than the combined length of the eye and snout. It is covered with thin, comparatively large scales, and the head is scale-less, while the belly lacks scutes.