pilotfish

[ pahy-luht-fish ]

noun

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

1. a small, marine fish, Naucrates ductor, often swimming with sharks.
2. any of various other fishes having similar habits.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilotfish¹

First recorded in 1625–35; pilot + fish

Example Sentences

During spawning, a cluster of journalists surrounded her, like pilotfish hovering around a shark.

From Science Magazine

More than any of his rivals, Cruz has steered clear of public fights with Trump, or as Wilson described it, Cruz has been "like a pilotfish to Trump's very large white shark."

From Reuters