killifish

noun

kil·​li·​fish ˈki-li-ˌfish 

1

: any of a family (Cyprinodontidae) of numerous small oviparous fishes much used as bait and in mosquito control

2

: any of various live-bearers (family Poeciliidae)

Examples of killifish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In his own research, Whitehead has shown that Atlantic killifish, a small silvery fish found off eastern Canada and the United States, has adapted to live comfortably in estuaries plagued by heavy industrial pollution. —Brian Owens, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024

Most species are holding fewer cards than the killifish. —Brian Owens, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024

Some guppies live in havens that are largely predator-free except for the killifish, a small fish that only takes the smallest juvenile guppies. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 1 Feb. 2010

Meanwhile, banded killifish, mumichog’s close cousins, live mostly in freshwater in the eastern United States — and are among the few vertebrate species known to be able to reproduce asexually. —Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

killie killifish (perhaps from kill entry 3) + fish

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1