cavefish

[ keyv-fish ]

noun

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

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

cavefish

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cavefish¹

First recorded in 1870–75; cave + fish

Example Sentences

"We have discovered for the first time an organism -- cavefish -- that can avoid fatty liver under starvation conditions," said Cobham.

From Science Daily

Cavefish are cousins of the Mexican tetra river fish that flooded into underground caves over 100,000 years ago.

From Science Daily

The researchers show that in the absence of food, cavefish at early developmental stages not only survive much longer than their river fish counterparts, but also do not accumulate liver fat.

From Science Daily

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

"Expression levels of this gene are reduced in cavefish, which is a good indicator that if we are able to target this gene in humans, we may be able to treat or manage human metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity," said Cobham.

From Science Daily