Blue Sprat

Baitfish blue sprat
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Open all year

bag limit50

 

possession limit100

 

boat limit-

Limits relate to baitfish species combined.

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

None
Measuring

Most scalefish are measured from the nose to the end of the tail. Get your scalefish measuring ruler or sticker at any Service Tasmania outlet.

Other names

bluebait, blue bait, blue sardine, sprat


Scientific name

Spratelloides robustus

Grows to


Up to

11cm

Identifying features


​A small fish with a long, narrow body. It is dark blue above with silvery flanks and a pair of dark blue streaks near the centre of the tail fin. It has a short based dorsal fin right above the pelvic fin and a deeply forked tail fin.

​Habitat

The blue sprat is a small mid-water species that occurs in bays, inlets and coastal waters. Usually an inshore schooling fish, it is also found around shallow offshore reefs in depths from 0-50 metres.

Fishing information

May be taken with a cast net, beach seine or bait net. This species is often used as bait by recreational anglers. It is preyed upon by larger, pelagic fishes, marine mammals and seabirds.

Handling

Will shed scales and die quickly when taken out of the water so should be chilled rapidly to prevent deterioration.

Cooking

These small fish can be eaten deep fried or grilled, gutted and gilled with the head on or off.

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au