noun
- plural of candlefish; small oily fish of the Pacific coast that can be dried and burned like candles
Usage: regional
Examples
- The Native Americans traditionally used candlefishes as a source of light.
- Candlefishes are rich in oil and were historically important to coastal communities.
- During the spawning season, candlefishes swim up rivers in large numbers.
- The dried candlefishes burned with a bright, steady flame.
- Commercial fishing for candlefishes has declined in recent decades.