Fingerling (noun)

1. A small fish that is typically less than 10 inches in length.
2. A young or immature fish that is similar in size and shape to a finger.

Origin:

The word 'fingerling' is derived from the noun 'finger' meaning 'a digit on the hand' and refers to a fish that is small enough to fit in the palm of one's hand.

Examples:

1. The river was teeming with fingerlings, which the angler eagerly cast his line to catch.
2. The fingerlings were raised in a hatchery and then released into the lake to grow into adult fish.
3. Fingerlings are a popular food source for larger predatory fish, such as bass and pike.
4. The fisherman was thrilled to catch a large bag of fingerlings, which he planned to use as bait for bigger fish.
5. The scientist studied the fingerlings in the tank, observing their behavior and development.