mummichog

[ muhm-i-chog ]

noun

, Coastal New England.

1. a silver and black killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, found in fresh, brackish, and salt water along the Atlantic coast of the United States.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mummichog¹

First recorded in 1780–90, Americanism; from Narragansett ( English spelling) moamitteaũg

Example Sentences

Short, squat and tiny killifish, also known as mummichogs or mud minnows, are masters of marshes and coastal estuaries.

From Washington Post

Then suddenly it darted its sharp black bill into the water, speared a mummichog with no apparent emotion and tossed its head back to gulp it down before transforming back into a statue.

From New York Times

A type of killifish called a mummichog navigates visually, jumping up and orienting its body toward the water, according to a recent study.

From National Geographic