nonnat

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A fish, Aphia minuta or pellucida, of the family Gobiidæ, distinguished by a diaphanous body covered with large and thin deciduous scales, common on some parts of the European coast, especially in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It lives in innumerable schools, and serves as food for many fishes and seabirds as well as other animals, and on the borders of the Mediterranean is largely used by man. In the vicinity of Nice it is the object of a special fishery, particularly during the month of March, the small fishes being considered a very dainty dish. The fish rarely exceeds an inch and a half in length. It is believed to complete its cycle of life within a year. Under the. name nonnat the young of other fishes, especially of the families Clupeidæ and Atherinidæ, are liable to be confounded.