This family has three species found in New Zealand: Pilchard (Mohimohi, Sardinops sagax), Slender sprat (kūpae, Sprattus antipodum), and Stout sprat (kūpae, Sprattus muelleri). These small, oily, silvery baitfish are primarily found in dense schools within shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Living in the pelagic zone, they feed on plankton and serve as a crucial food source for seabirds. These three species look similar, can be found in the same school and there is a lack of definite studies of their distribution and identification.
Pilchard: occur from Northland to Stewart Island but are most common in northern and central waters. They are generally found inshore, display seasonal changes in abundance and distribution and occur from the surface to the seafloor in coastal waters. They can grow to 25cm long.
Source: McMillan et al. 2019Slender sprat: is less commonly seen than S. muelleri and occurs in coastal waters along the North Island (from the Haraki Gulf) and South Island to Stewart Island/Rakiura and Snares Islands/Tini Heke. Found at the surface and midwater down to 100m and they can grow to 15cm.
Source: McMillan et al. 2019Stout sprat: is apparently most common along the east coast of the South Island but has been recorded from Northland to Snares Island. Found at the surface and midwater down to 110m and reaches a maximum size of 13.3cm.
Source: McMillan et al. 2019