prickleback

noun

1. small elongate fishes of shallow northern seas; a long dorsal fin consists entirely of spines

Definition categories: animal, blennioid

2. small (2-4 inches) pugnacious mostly scaleless spiny-backed fishes of northern fresh and littoral waters having elaborate courtship; subjects of much research

Similar word(s): stickleback

Definition categories: animal, acanthopterygian