cavefish

American  

[keyv-fish] / ˈkeɪvˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

cavefish,

plural

cavefishes

1. any of several fishes that live in cave waters, as species of the genus Amblyopsis, having no body pigment and rudimentary, functionless eyes.

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cavefish British  

/ ˈkeɪvˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of various small freshwater cyprinodont fishes of the genera Amblyopsis, Chologaster, etc, living in subterranean and other waters in S North America See also blindfish

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Etymology

Origin of cavefish

First recorded in 1870–75; cave + fish

Example Sentences

Now, new research shows how naturally starvation-resistant cavefish, unlike other animals, are able to protect their liver and remain healthy.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2024

The researchers compared gene expression levels between cavefish, river fish, zebrafish, and even fruit flies, identifying a gene that is activated during prolonged periods of starvation in all but cavefish.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2024

Manufacturers must revise product labels to include new instructions, such as reducing spraying near critical habitat of protected species such as the sandhill crane and Alabama cavefish.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 30, 2023

Surprisingly, cavefish were able to swim just as fast and as long as surface fish.

From Scientific American • Feb. 24, 2023

To better understand the consequences of the cavefish’s loss of muscle mass, Olsen and his colleagues dissected muscle fibers from both cavefish and surface fish and electrically stimulated them.

From Scientific American • Feb. 24, 2023