The Herring Family is a group of fish that includes the SPRAT (5 letters) and the SHAD (4 letters). Sprats are small, oily fish that are found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean oceans. They are often used as bait or for human consumption. SHAD are larger than sprats and are found in rivers and lakes throughout North America. They are an important food source for many species of fish, birds, and mammals.