young sweetfish; young ayu
Refers specifically to juvenile sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis), often in the context of fishing, aquaculture, or seasonal cuisine.
In spring, young sweetfish start swimming in the river.
Releasing young ayu is popular in this region.
Mixed kanji-katakana spelling; アユ is a common katakana rendering of the fish name.
Compound of 稚 (chi, 'young') and 鮎 (ayu, 'sweetfish'). The reading ちあゆ follows standard on-kun combination.