noun
- plural of cavefish; small fish that live in underground caves and streams, typically lacking eyes and pigmentation
Usage: biology; zoology
Examples
- Cavefishes have adapted to life in complete darkness by losing their eyes over millions of years.
- Scientists study cavefishes to understand how organisms evolve in extreme environments.
- The blind cavefishes navigate using their lateral line system to detect vibrations in the water.
- Many cavefishes are found in limestone caves throughout Mexico and the southern United States.
- Cavefishes are often pale or colorless because they have no need for protective pigmentation underground.