IQF sprats - 1 kg

Packaging: 1kg
Size: 8-10cm
Pieces per kilogram: 90-110

IQF (individually quick frozen) – a product frozen individually and rapidly. Each item is frozen separately to prevent sticking and facilitate portioning.

IQF Sprats (Individually Quick Frozen) are a versatile food for fish, birds, and other carnivorous animals kept by humans. Tasty and readily consumed by animals, frozen sprats are an excellent source of protein, fats, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Frozen sprats as feed for snakes

Information on snakes feeding on fish comes from studies of their natural habitats and dietary habits. In the wild, many species of snakes regularly consume fish—primarily aquatic snakes or those living near coastal areas where fish are an easily accessible food source.

Species of snakes for which sprats can serve as a dietary supplement include:

• Mud snakes (Nerodia), widely distributed in North America, inhabit swamps, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. Fish, which they catch in the water using their fast swimming skills, are the main component of their diet.
• Reticulated python (Python reticulatus), although commonly known as a predator of mammals and birds, also inhabits areas near water and can prey on fish, especially young individuals.
• File snake (Acrochordus arafurae), found in Australia and Southeast Asia, is one of the few snake species exclusively adapted to aquatic life. It feeds almost entirely on fish.
• Sea snakes (Hydrophiinae) inhabit oceans, and their diet mainly consists of fish and other marine organisms. For example, the Belcher's sea snake (Hydrophis belcheri) is known for its fish-based diet.
• Brown water snake (Liophis miliaris) is native to South America and feeds on fish found in swampy and riverine habitats.
• Corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus), although known for eating small mammals, can also consume fish as a dietary variation.
• Indian checkered keelback (Xenochrophis piscator), as the name suggests ("piscator" means fisherman), specializes in hunting fish in Southeast Asian waters.
• Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) hunts a wide range of animals, including fish, which are an easy food source in its natural aquatic environment.

Snakes catch fish in the water using their teeth to prevent the slippery prey from escaping. Some species, such as the file snake, have skin and scales adapted to aquatic life, increasing their efficiency as fish predators.

In captivity, frozen sprats can be used as feed for snakes like corn snakes or ball pythons, usually as a dietary variation or when a snake refuses to eat rodent prey.

Frozen sprats as food for birds

Frozen sprats are an essential part of the diet of many birds, particularly those inhabiting coastal areas. Their small size, high nutritional value, and easy availability make them a favorite food of various aquatic and predatory bird species, including:

• Gulls (Larus sp.), highly skilled at catching fish from the water's surface or just below it, are known for feeding on small fish, including sprats.
• Cormorants (Phalacrocorax sp.), which dive for food, primarily feed on small and medium-sized fish such as sprats, herring, and sardines.
• Terns (Sterna sp.) are experts at catching fish mid-flight. Sprats are one of their favorite foods.
• Gannets (Morus sp.) dive below the water's surface to hunt fish. Sprats form a significant part of their diet in areas where they are readily available.
• Birds like puffins and murres often hunt schools of small fish, including sprats.
• Penguins (Spheniscidae), though inhabiting regions where sprats are not naturally found, consume similar fish species. Sprats can be a convenient substitute for these fish in the diet of penguins under human care.
• White-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla), majestic birds of prey, frequently hunt fish, including sprats, particularly in coastal areas and near large bodies of water.
• Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) specialize in catching fish from the water. Sprats, due to their small size and availability, can form part of their diet.
• Herons (Ardeidae) may hunt sprats in shallow waters.
• Owls, hawks, falcons, eagles—sprats can serve as a valuable dietary supplement for these birds of prey.
• Ducks, swans, and pelicans can benefit from sprats as a protein source in captivity.

Frozen sprats are highly nutritious—rich in protein, healthy fats, and omega-3 fatty acids. Naturally forming large schools make them a desirable prey for birds. Their small size makes them ideal even for smaller bird species. In avian rehabilitation or captive settings, sprats can be offered as a natural diet substitute, supporting bird health and recovery.

Frozen sprats as food for fish and other animals

Frozen sprats are also an excellent food for fish, particularly marine predators (groupers, lionfish, wrasses, and moray eels). Their enthusiasts include large freshwater species like oscar cichlids, arowanas, African catfish, and freshwater stingrays. They are also readily consumed by large lizards (tegus, monitors) and farm animals (otters, mink).

Sprats are also an interesting dietary supplement for carnivorous mammals, especially those on BARF and whole prey diets. For dogs, cats, and ferrets, sprats can provide essential fatty acids for healthy skin and fur. However, it is important to note that sprats contain thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine (vitamin B1) in animals that consume them. Regular feeding of thiaminase-rich fish without proper vitamin B1 supplementation can lead to deficiencies, so sprats should be treated as a snack rather than a staple in these animals' diets.

IQF sprats are a popular choice in the diet of domestic and farm animals due to their ease of storage and portioning, high nutritional value, and natural taste that appeals even to the pickiest eaters.

***Deeply frozen product***