noun
young lancefish; young sand lance
Refers specifically to the juvenile stage of the sand lance (Ammodytes personatus), often used in cooking. The adult is called 玉筋魚 (いかなご).
See also: 玉筋魚
春になると、小女子のくぎ煮が食べたくなる。
When spring comes, I crave young lancefish simmered in soy sauce.
小女子は成長すると玉筋魚と呼ばれる。
Young lancefish are called 玉筋魚 when they grow up.
玉筋魚 is the adult sand lance, while 小女子 refers specifically to the young fish.
The kanji 小女子 literally means 'small woman child,' but this is an ateji (phonetic) spelling for the young sand lance. The reading こうなご is of uncertain origin.