Caplin

/ˈkæplɪn/ noun

Definition

A small, slender fish found in the North Atlantic and Arctic waters, related to smelt and often used as food or fish bait.

Etymology

From French 'capelin' or Old Norse 'kaplína', possibly derived from Latin 'capella' (she-goat), perhaps due to the fish's small size or beard-like barbels.

Kelly Says

Caplin are so important to North Atlantic ecosystems that their population boom or collapse directly impacts whale, seal, and seabird migrations—they're like the currency of the ocean food chain.

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