Doctorfish

/ˈdɒktərˌfɪʃ/ noun

Definition

A small tropical fish that feeds on parasites and algae off larger fish, effectively 'treating' them like a doctor.

Etymology

Compound of 'doctor' and 'fish,' named for the fish's beneficial cleaning behavior—it acts like a physician by removing harmful parasites from other fish.

Kelly Says

Doctorfish are part of nature's original 'healthcare system'—larger fish actively seek them out at 'cleaning stations,' and the doctorfish gets food while the larger fish gets parasite removal, a win-win relationship called mutualism.

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