1. Plural of burrfish; small tropical marine fish of the family Tetraodontidae, covered with spines that can be erected when the fish inflates itself as a defense mechanism.
Usage: Also called spiny pufferfish or hedgehog fish; Marine biology term

Examples

• Burrfishes inflate their bodies and raise their spines when threatened by predators.
• The aquarium displayed several colorful burrfishes in a large saltwater tank.
• Burrfishes are found in warm ocean waters around coral reefs.
• These small burrfishes can grow to about 10 inches in length.
• Marine biologists study burrfishes to understand their unique defense adaptations.