noun
definition
Any of various small, herring-like, marine fish in the genus Sprattus, in the family Clupeidae.
Examples of sprats in a Sentence
Large quantities of sprats are caught.
Also the so-called "white-bait" is not a distinct species, but consists chiefly of the fry or the young of herrings and sprats, and is obtained "in perfection" at localities where these small fishes find an abundance of food, as in the estuary of the Thames.
The fish caught are principally sardines, bonito, smelts and sprats.
In the former year considerable numbers were taken off Dover in drift nets of small mesh used for the capture of sprats.
When taken in British waters anchovies are either thrown away or sent to the market fresh with the sprats.
The so-called "Norwegian anchovies" imported into England in little wooden kegs are nothing but sprats pickled in brine with bay-leaves and whole pepper.
The harbour yields sprats which are in great repute.
Hence it will be seen that sprats predominated in February, March, April and May, herrings in June and July.
Similar reasoning applies to sprats.
Adults fed their chicks mainly on sprats with small gadoids being the main alternative.
However they are growing quickly and have excellent appetites eating sprats, mackerel and herring.
Maybe I succeeded despite using blue sprats and not because of them.
The fisheries are important - for herring, mackerel, sprats, cod, salmon, lobsters and anchovies.
In the following December large numbers were taken together with sprats at Torquay.