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
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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.
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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
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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
See All Example Sentences for killifish
Cite this Entry
“Killifish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killifish. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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