cleaner fish
noun
: any of several small fish that clean larger fish of parasites and dead tissue
especially
: cleaner wrasse
So-called cleaner fish are among the best-known examples of mutualism in nature. These small fish eat parasites off the skin of larger fish, and it's a win-win situation—the small fish gets food and protection from predators while the larger one stays clean and healthy. —
Henry Fountain, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2009
Henry Fountain, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2009 Dictionary Entries Near cleaner fish
Cite this Entry
“Cleaner fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleaner%20fish. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share