Little wriggler in Hilton Hotel Vermont (5)

I believe the answer is:

elver

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'little wriggler' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'in hilton hotel vermont' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ELVER' can be found hidden inside 'hilton hotel vermont'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elver that I've seen before include "A baby eel" , "Slippery youngster" , "Young migratory fish" , "New slipper" , "Young slippery fish" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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