Here's a more detailed definition:
* Scientific Name: *Sprattus sprattus*
* Appearance: They have a silvery body with a dark back and a slightly forked tail. They are characterized by a distinctive black spot near the gill cover.
* Diet: Sprats are plankton feeders, meaning they consume tiny organisms like crustaceans and algae.
* Habitat: They are found in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Baltic Sea, and the Black Sea.
* Importance: Sprats are a commercially important fish, used for human consumption (especially in canned form) and as a food source for other fish.
Key points to remember:
* They are very similar to, and often confused with, sardines.
* The difference is primarily based on size (sprats are generally smaller) and taste (sprats are considered to have a more pronounced oily taste).
* Brisling is a specific type of sprat found in the Baltic Sea.
Let me know if you have any other questions about these fascinating little fish!