Key to the species of Spratelloides

1a A brown mid-lateral band (silver when fresh); second supramaxilla asymmetrical; vertical striae on scales not meeting at center.................................................................................................. 2

1b No mid-lateral band, but whole lower flank silver; second supramaxilla symmetrical; vertical striae on scales meeting at center................................................................................................... 4

2a Mid-lateral band fading anteriorly at about tips of pectoral fins, lower gill rakers 28–32........................ S. lewisi

2b Mid-lateral band not fading anteriorly..................................................................... 3

3a Anal fin rays 12–15, pectoral fin rays 12–14, vertebrae 47–50, lower gill rakers 30–39, head length 20.8–26.9% SL, upper jaw length 7.7–10.5%, snout length (6.6–9.0 %) longer than eye diameter (4.4–8.0%); lateral band (3.8–7.5%) narrower than eye diameter, no melanophores on inner side of operculum................................................. S. gracilis

3b Anal fin rays 10–13, pectoral fin rays 10–13, vertebrae 43–47, lower gill rakers 20–24, head length 19.3–24.1% SL, upper jaw length 7.0–9.3%, snout length (5.9–7.4%) equal or shorter than eye diameter (5.4–7.5%), lateral band (5.7–7.9%) wider than eye diameter, melanophores on inner side of operculum (visible in preserved specimens)................. S. atrofasciatus

4a Predorsal scales 8–13, scales in lateral series 35–41, posterior margin of scales not toothed................. S. delicatulus

4b Predorsal scales 13–16, scales in lateral series 42–46, posterior margin of scales toothed..................... S. robustus