What does alevin mean?
An alevin is a newly hatched fish — most often a salmon or trout — that has emerged from its egg but still depends on the yolk sac attached to its body for nourishment. During this early life stage, which typically lasts several weeks, the alevin remains hidden in the gravel of a stream bed or rearing tank, gradually absorbing the yolk before rising as a free-swimming fry capable of feeding on its own. The word comes from French, ultimately rooted in the Latin verb alere, meaning 'to nourish' — fittingly, since the alevin's defining trait is that it feeds itself from within. Alevin is primarily a technical term encountered in fisheries biology, aquaculture, and angling writing rather than casual speech, where 'newly hatched fish' would serve instead. It is useful precisely because it names a distinct developmental stage between embryo and fry, allowing scientists and anglers alike to describe a fish's growth with precision.
nounA newly hatched fish, especially a salmon or trout, that still carries a yolk sac and has not yet begun feeding independently.
- A newly hatched fish, especially a salmonid, that still possesses a yolk sac and has not yet begun to feed externally.
"The hatchery workers carefully monitored the alevin as they absorbed their yolk sacs in the gravel redds."
"The alevin lay in the redd's gravel, drawing nourishment from their yolk sacs."
"Fisheries biologists counted the alevin each spring to estimate spawning success in the river."
The standard plural is alevins; the singular form alevin may also be used collectively when referring to a group of newly hatched fish.
"Thousands of alevins were released into the incubation channels last autumn."
Before a baby salmon ever takes its first bite of food, it lives for weeks off a built-in lunchbox strapped to its belly — and that yolk-sac-carrying newborn is called an alevin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of alevin
The word alevin entered English from French, where alevin denotes a young fish still carrying its yolk sac. It derives ultimately from the Latin verb alere, meaning 'to nourish' or 'to feed', the same root that gives us English words such as aliment, alimony, and nourish. The term was adopted into English fisheries vocabulary, likely in the nineteenth century, as scientific study of salmonid life cycles formalized the naming of early developmental stages.
How alevin is actually used
Alevin is a technical term used chiefly in fisheries science, aquaculture, and angling literature; it is rare in everyday conversation. It applies most commonly to salmonids such as salmon and trout.
Easily confused with alevin
Fry refers to young fish generally once they have absorbed the yolk sac and begun free-swimming and feeding, whereas an alevin is specifically the earlier stage while it still relies on its yolk sac.
A fingerling is a much older juvenile fish roughly the size of a finger, whereas an alevin is a just-hatched fish still nourished by its yolk sac.