The Australian sprat (Sprattus novaehollandiae) is a sprat fish whose habitat ranges in the waters surrounding Australia including Tasmania. It is a pelagic fish which is found in anti-tropical, temperate water. It is apart of the Clupeidae family. Other members of the Cluepeidae family also include herring, menhaden, sardines as well as shads. It is currently a relative unknown species of Sprat compared to the other members of the family. In total, there are five different types of True Sprats. What makes Australian Sprats different from the rest is their location and appearance. Sprattus Novaehollandiae have a dark blue back and a protruding lower jaw. They are found in the Southern regions of Australian such as lower Victoria and Tasmania were there are colder climates. On average, Australian Sprat grown up to 14cm and live in the range of 0-50 meters deep in the ocean. They will lay between 10,000 to 40,000 eggs per year and live for approximately 5-7 years. Other names for the Australian Sprat include Clupea Bassensis and Meletta Novaehollandiae. Biology In terms of appearance, Australian Sprats resemble herrings with their elongated body and silver colouration. Interestingly, Sprats vary in size depending on the specific species, with the Australian Sprat being 14cm long. Specifically, the Australian Sprat has the following fin configuration. 15-18 Anal fin 18-21: Caudal fin 19: Pectoral fin 17-18: Pelvic fin 8; Oblique scale rows on side 44. The Australian Sprat has a relatively shallow body giving it an elongated and compressed look with a narrow caudal peduncle. They also have a smaller head (25-29% SL) with medium sized eyes (27-33% HL). Along its anterior and posterior edges of the eye, it has strips of transparent adipose tissue. Finally, Australian Sprat have a slightly projecting lower jaw with miniature or no teeth. The scales on the Australian Sprat are large, cycloid and minimally attached. They cover most of the body except the head. Etymology The name Novaehollandiae means New Holland which is the old name used for Australia. The further breakdown of the etymology of the Australian Sprat will be broken down in table form. Habitat Overall, this specific Sprat is found in a wide range of ecosystems. The Australian Sprat is commonly found during the seasonal period of August-November in Tasmania. The Australian Sprat is considered a coastal, marine, estuarine and pelagic species. In coastal regions, they form schools located mostly in deep