Please note that whitebait are native fish and the giant and short jawed kokopu are under threat in many areas. Your assistance in keeping the whitebait fishery healthy not only benefits you, but the health of New Zealand's natural living systems. Don't take more than you need. Heinemann Reed, Auckland. The New Zealand Whitebait Book.
Primary criteria are in bold.
Size can vary and banded kokopu only can be distinguished by its small size. Koaro and short-jawed kokopu are very difficult to distinguish.