1. plural of oolican; small, oily fish of the smelt family found in North Pacific waters, especially off the coast of British Columbia, traditionally used by Indigenous peoples as food and for oil.
Usage: Also spelled eulachon or eulachans; Regional: primarily used in Pacific Northwest contexts; Often called candlefish because of their high oil content

Examples

• The oolichans were harvested in spring when they migrated upstream to spawn.
• Indigenous communities have relied on oolichans for thousands of years as a vital food source.
• Oolican oil was rendered and used for cooking and lighting in traditional Pacific Northwest cultures.
• The annual oolican run brings fishermen to the rivers of British Columbia.
• Oolichans are small but nutrient-dense fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.