Noun
A small European herring (Clupea sprattus) closely allied to the common herring and the pilchard; -- called also garvie. The name is also applied to small herring of different kinds.
A California surf-fish (Rhacochilus toxotes); -- called also alfione, and perch.
Source: Webster's dictionaryMany studies that analyze the stomach contents of these fish indicate that cod is the top predator, preying on the herring and sprat. Source: Internet
"The anchovy catch fell from convert in 1984 to convert in 1993; sprat from convert in 1984 to convert in 1993; horse mackerel from convert in 1984 to zero in 1993." Source: Internet
"Feeding preferences of herring (Clupea harengus) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in the southern Baltic Sea." Source: Internet
However, they are small in size with a high escape response, so herring and sprat avoid trying to catch them. Source: Internet