candlefish

American  

[kan-dl-fish] / ˈkæn dlˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

candlefish,

plural

candlefishes

1. Also called eulachon.  a small, edible, smeltlike fish, Thaleichthys pacificus, of northwestern coastal waters of North America, being so oily that when dried it can be used as a candle.

2. sablefish.

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candlefish British  

/ ˈkændəlˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. Also called: eulachon.  a salmonoid food fish, Thaleichthys pacificus, that occurs in the N Pacific and has oily flesh

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Etymology

Origin of candlefish

First recorded in 1880–85; candle + fish

Example Sentences

Perhaps the smell of candlefish fat, ubiquitous in later Northwest Coast Indian cookery, even then hovered over the first visitors’ fires.

From Literature

Best action is right on the sandy bottom where fish are feeding on candlefish between the Caves and Eagle Bay, and off the Slip Point Buoy to Mussolini Rock.

From Seattle Times

“For us, it’s one of the most highly prized commodities that we have,” he said, pulling one of the glistening candlefish off the rack.

From The Guardian

This summer, candlefish and Dungeness crab, for example, were reported in the estuary for the first time in decades, the AP reported.

From Newsweek

Marine creatures such as eulachon, or candlefish, and Dungeness crab have been documented in the estuary for the first time in decades.

From Washington Times