candlefish

noun

can·​dle·​fish ˈkan-dᵊl-ˌfish 

: a very oily anadromous marine food fish (Thaleichthys pacificus) of the smelt family that occurs along the North Pacific coast

called also eulachon

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

These animals, identified as individuals by their markings and relationships, elicit concern and compassion, even love, as no mussel or candlefish or any other marine species smaller than a whale ever will. —Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Nov. 2019

Millie Clark, Acworth A: Also known as butterfish, blue cod, candlefish and coal cod, sablefish isn’t really part of the cod family at all. —Atlanta Life, ajc, 15 Mar. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above