What is "quillback"

Quillback \Quill"back`\, n. (Zo["o]l.) An American fresh-water fish ( Ictiobus cyprinus syn. Carpiodes cyprinus); -- called also carp sucker, sailfish, spearfish, and skimback.

n. (taxlink Carpiodes cyprinus species noshow=1), a freshwater fish of the sucker family with a long filament that extends back from the dorsal fin, native to the eastern and central United States.

The Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus) is a type of freshwater fish of the sucker family. It is deeper-bodied than most suckers, leading to a carplike appearance. It can be distinguished from carp by the lack of barbels around the mouth.