# midshipman fish

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. Any species of the genus Porichthys of batrachoid toadfishes, typically nocturnal, distinguished by photophores and four lateral lines, and noted for a hum produced by males during the breeding season.

## Etymology
From midshipman + fish, after their prey-attracting photophores, which are said to resemble the buttons of a naval uniform.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/midshipman-fish