No. 31. SPRAT. 



Clupca sf'-n.iHus, Linnaeus. 



Usual extreme length : 6i inches, the majority not exceeding- 5 

 inches. 



Description: Dorsal fill commencing a little behind the point 

 midway between the end of the snout and the root of the tail, 

 the bases of the ventrals being- slightly in advance of the front 

 of the dorsal. Edge of the belly sharply keeled and spinous, 

 presenting an appearance like the cutting edge of a fine saw. 

 No radiating- lines on the gill-covers as in the Pilchard. Colora- 

 tion above not so distinctly blue-green as in the Herring, but 

 the sides equally brilliant. 



The spawning period is prolonged, extending over the first 

 six months of the year according to the locality. The food 

 consists of the minute moving- organisms of the sea (Plankton). 



Range: From the North of Kurope to the Mediterranean. 

 The Sprat is a migratory fish, spawning- at some distance from 

 land, and returning to brackish water some time afterwards. 

 The young, known as " Britt," are met with in large numbers 

 in estuaries, where they form a large component of the catch 

 of Whitebait. (See also under Herring). 



Remarks: The, Sprat is essentially a longshoreman's fish, vast 

 numbers being taken in shallow water in seines, stow-nets, and drift- 

 nets of small mesh during the season, which so far as the London markets 

 are concerned, extends from October to the end of January. Tht: 

 Thames estuary supports a most profitable fisher}- from the standpoint 

 of productiveness, but in common with other fishes which occasionally 

 form a glut in the market, the Sprat is of very slight value commercially. 



It is a fish well adapted for manufacturing purposes; " smoked sprats," 

 retailed at a modest price per bundle, are preferred by many to the fresh 

 fish. The so-called " Norwegian Sardines," however, are, perhaps, the 

 best instance of the conversion of this abundant and low priced fish into 

 a useful commodity of diet. 



