filefish
noun
file·fish
ˈfī(-ə)l-ˌfish 
: any of various small-mouthed bony fishes (family Monacanthidae, especially genera Aluterus, Cantherhines, and Monacanthus) with rough granular leathery skin
Examples of filefish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Motor neurons for the first dorsal fin of filefish were found in the same location as motor neurons for the second, third and fourth dorsal fins in frogfish.
—
Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
In contrast, all of a filefish’s dorsal fin motor neurons are located solely in its ventrolateral zone.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
The tiny white dot, the object of the filefish’s attention, fills this careful composition with purpose.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
There are even some fish who can change color to blend in, including the rock goby and filefish. 2.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2023
Hatchling Harbor will be home to various animals, including the scrawled filefish, lobsters, crabs, conchs and urchins.
—Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 21 Feb. 2023
Researchers placed sections of pipe in the tank: one contained a filefish and the other a piece of coral.
—Bethany Hubbard, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2014
The Hunger Games To answer this question, researchers placed sixteen filefish into four tanks.
—Bethany Hubbard, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2014
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
In contrast, all of a filefish’s dorsal fin motor neurons are located solely in its ventrolateral zone.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
The tiny white dot, the object of the filefish’s attention, fills this careful composition with purpose.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
There are even some fish who can change color to blend in, including the rock goby and filefish. 2.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2023
Hatchling Harbor will be home to various animals, including the scrawled filefish, lobsters, crabs, conchs and urchins.
—Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 21 Feb. 2023
Researchers placed sections of pipe in the tank: one contained a filefish and the other a piece of coral.
—Bethany Hubbard, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2014
The Hunger Games To answer this question, researchers placed sixteen filefish into four tanks.
—Bethany Hubbard, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2014
Cite this Entry
“Filefish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filefish. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
filefish
noun
file·fish
ˈfī(ə)l-ˌfish
: any of various fishes with rough leathery skin
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share