Looking offended, finding bit of toenail in small fish (9)
I believe the answer is:
bristling
'looking offended finding bit' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are present participle verbs, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'toenail in small fish' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'in' is found in the answer.
'small' could be 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size) and 's' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bristling that I've seen before include "visibly indignant?" , "Very cross" , "Seeing red" , "Reacting defensively" .)