midshipman fish

English

Porichthys porosissimus, a species of midshipman fish

Etymology

From midshipman + fish, after their prey-attracting photophores, which are said to resemble the buttons of a naval uniform.

Noun

midshipman fish (plural midshipman fish or midshipman fishes)

1. Any species of the genus Porichthys of batrachoid toadfishes, typically nocturnal, distinguished by photophores and four lateral lines, and noted for a hum produced by males during the breeding season.

Synonyms

• (toadfish of genus Porichthys): midshipman

Translations

toadfish of genus Porichthys

• Finnish: kadettikala
• Russian: ры́ба-ми́чман (ru) f (rýba-míčman)