/kan"dl fish'/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) candlefish , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) candlefishes .
1. Also called eulachon . a small, edible, smeltlike fish, Thaleichthys pacificus, of northwestern coastal waters of North America, being so oily that when dried it can be used as a candle.
2. sablefish.
[ 1880-85; CANDLE + FISH ]