pupfish
noun
pup·fish
ˈpəp-ˌfish 
: any of several killifishes (especially genus Cyprinodon of the family Cyprinodontidae) especially of warm streams and springs of the western U.S.
Examples of pupfish in a Sentence
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The hardy pupfish are capable of surviving harsh temperatures and severe water conditions that would kill most other fish species, but their population has declined primarily due to habitat loss.
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Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
The ersatz Devils Hole was constructed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, after the population of pupfish in the real pool dropped to a mere thirty-five individuals, in 2013.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
The Devils Hole pupfish is trying to rebound after a natural disaster.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Scientists found 191 pupfish in April — the highest spring count since 1999.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
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Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
The ersatz Devils Hole was constructed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, after the population of pupfish in the real pool dropped to a mere thirty-five individuals, in 2013.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
The Devils Hole pupfish is trying to rebound after a natural disaster.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Scientists found 191 pupfish in April — the highest spring count since 1999.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pupfish
Cite this Entry
“Pupfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pupfish. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
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