ScienceAugust 21, 2026

capelin

KAP-uh-lin

Definition

A small, forage fish of the smelt family that serves as a key food source for larger marine predators.

Etymology

The word originates from the Old French 'capelan' or 'capelin', which likely comes from the Provençal word for 'little chaplain,' referring to the fish's appearance.

In the news

The article mentions capelin as a primary reason for the sudden influx of whales in East Greenland, as these fish have shifted their feeding grounds due to environmental changes.

A COVID-19 Study Retracted Over Misinformation, a Whale Feeding Frenzy in Greenland, and How Daily Vitamin D Benefits the Brain

Read the full article ↗

Discover Magazine

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