clingfish

[ kling-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) cling·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) cling·fish·es.

1. any fish of the family Gobiesocidae, having a sucking disk on the abdomen for clinging cling to stones, debris, etc.

clingfish

/ ˈklɪŋˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any small marine teleost fish of the family Gobiesocidae, having a flattened elongated body with a sucking disc beneath the head for clinging to rocks, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of clingfish¹

First recorded in 1890–95; cling ¹ + fish

Example Sentences

When the researchers pitted euthanized clingfish against eight manufactured suction cups, the fish held fast to eight materials ranging from glass to the grittiest sandpaper.

From Science Magazine

Scanning electron microscope images showed that the clingfish's suction cup is bordered with filaments similar in size to those on the sticky feet of geckos, according to a paper online today in .

From Science Magazine

The researchers hope that the clingfish's superior suction cup may show the way to artificial devices that can better adhere to rough, wet surfaces.

From Science Magazine