Crossword Genius

Empty container — fish basket (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

creel

'basket' is the definition.
(creel is a kind of basket)

'empty container fish' is the wordplay.
'empty' means to remove the middle letters.
'fish' becomes 'eel' (eel is a kind of fish**).
'container' with its centre taken out is 'cr'.
'cr'+'eel'='CREEL'

(Other definitions for creel that I've seen before include "Wicker basket for fish" , "Wickerwork basket" , "Fish-basket" , "lobster basket" , "Lobster pot" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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