Small food fish (8)
'small food fish' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for sprat that I've seen before include "Jack --, non-fat eater" , "chap giving richer course material to the Dutch" , "Parts (anag.)" , "Herring's smaller relative" , "Strap up the small fish" .)
(Other definitions for whiting that I've seen before include "Small sea fish or ground chalk for painting" , "Small fish related to cod" , "Edible marine fish" , "North Atlantic food fish" , "[SOMETHING FISHY]" .)
'small food fish' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for pilchard that I've seen before include "Small fatty fish, usually tinned" , "type of fish" , "Item of seafood" , "Small marine food fish" , "Edible herring relative" .)