/sohp"fish'/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) soapfish , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) soapfishes .
any of several serranid fishes of the genus Rypticus, producing a body mucus that gives the skin a soapy quality, as R. saponaceus, inhabiting shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
[ 1875-80; SOAP + FISH ]