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Glite Dictionary
killifish

killifish

8.6
A small fish that people keep in aquariums and use as bait or to eat young mosquitoes
  • noun
  • /ˈkɪlɪˌfɪʃ/
translation icon : killifish
  • The aquarium was filled with colorful killifish that darted between the plants.
  • Banded Killifish

There is a parasitic worm that gets into a killifish.

Examples

  • the skin, the anthills, the pygmy killifish,

    Fiction book (1993)

  • We can we can manipulate these genes in, in killifish or we can also inject recombinant factors into mice.

  • In many freshwater ecosystems, killifish play a crucial role in controlling mosquito populations.

  • Banded killifish are often found in weedy areas of lakes and ponds, where they thrive.

Synonyms

Fundulus
vskillifish
  • Specialized
9.9

Small fish like killifish that live in fresh or slightly salty water in North America

is the broader family covering many related small marine and freshwater species
Rivulus
vskillifish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small freshwater fish from the Americas often kept in aquariums

is a wider family that includes various small freshwater and marine forms
mummichog
vskillifish
  • US
9.9

A small silver and black fish that lives in salt marshes on the Atlantic coast of the United States

refers to the larger group spanning many species and habitats
striped killifish
vskillifish
  • US
8.9

A small fish with dark bars that lives in coastal marshes and bays

is the more general family name covering diverse species and uses

Compounds

striped killifish
  • US
8.9

A small fish with dark bars that lives in coastal marshes and bays

Surface Forms

killifish singular
killifish plural

Etymology

The word killifish comes from the Dutch word kil meaning 'creek' or 'stream', plus fish. So a killifish is literally a 'creek fish', which helps explain why these small fish live in ponds and streams and are often used in aquariums or to help control mosquitoes.