cavefish

American  

[keyv-fish] / ˈkeɪvˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

cavefish,

plural

cavefishes

1. any of several fishes that live in cave waters, as species of the genus Amblyopsis, having no body pigment and rudimentary, functionless eyes.

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cavefish British  

/ ˈkeɪvˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of various small freshwater cyprinodont fishes of the genera Amblyopsis, Chologaster, etc, living in subterranean and other waters in S North America See also blindfish

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Etymology

Origin of cavefish

First recorded in 1870–75; cave + fish

Example Sentences

The researchers compared gene expression levels between cavefish, river fish, zebrafish, and even fruit flies, identifying a gene that is activated during prolonged periods of starvation in all but cavefish.

From Science Daily

The researchers show that in the absence of food, cavefish at early developmental stages not only survive much longer than their river fish counterparts, but also do not accumulate liver fat.

From Science Daily

Now, new research shows how naturally starvation-resistant cavefish, unlike other animals, are able to protect their liver and remain healthy.

From Science Daily

Researchers from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in collaboration with Universite Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium and Iowa State University compared cavefish to other animals more susceptible to starvation, and identified a gene responsible for the development of starvation-induced fatty liver.

From Science Daily

"We have discovered for the first time an organism -- cavefish -- that can avoid fatty liver under starvation conditions," said Cobham.

From Science Daily