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Glite Dictionary
capelan

capelan

9.9
A very small northern fish eaten by seabirds, seals, and other fish
  • noun
  • /ˈkæpələn/
  • UK
: capelán
  • Seabirds rely heavily on capelan as a key source of food.

Examples

  • Thousands of capelan gathered near shore during the spring spawning season.

  • The capelan swims in schools near the surface.

  • Commercial fisheries in Newfoundland catch large quantities of capelan each year.

  • Many seabirds rely on capelans for their diet.

  • The capelan swims in large schools, providing a crucial food source for many marine predators.

  • During the summer, fishermen often catch capelan to use as bait for larger fish.

  • Birdwatchers are excited to see seabirds dive for capelan near the rocky shores.

Synonyms

capelin
vscapelan
  • UK
1 9.1

A small fish from cold northern seas that many sea animals eat

focuses on specific predators rather than speaking about marine animals generally
caplin
vscapelan
  • Specialized
9.9

A small fish that lives in cold northern seas and feeds seabirds and bigger sea animals

is much smaller in size than that general description

Surface Forms

capelan singular
capelans plural

Etymology

Capelan comes from French capelin, the local name for this small, silvery sea fish. Picture clouds of these tiny fish near the shore to remember that capelan means this little northern fish that is an important food for seabirds and sea mammals.