Holocanthus tricolor

9.9

A bright yellow and black fish that lives on coral reefs in the western Atlantic

noun

Specialized

: Holocanthus tricolor

We spotted a Holocanthus tricolor swimming among the coral reefs during our dive.

Examples

The aquarium features a vibrant Holocanthus tricolor in its Atlantic marine exhibit.
Marine biologists study the coloration patterns of Holocanthus tricolor to understand its role in reef ecosystems.
Look at that Holocanthus tricolor!
The Holocanthus tricolor is known for its vibrant colors.
Marine biologists study the coloration patterns of Holocanthus tricolor to understand its role in reef ecosystems.
The aquarium features a vibrant Holocanthus tricolor in its Atlantic marine exhibit.
We spotted a Holocanthus tricolor swimming among the coral reefs during our dive.

Synonyms

angelfish

vsHolocanthus tricolor

4 4.0

A bright, round tropical fish with long fins often kept in aquariums

is the specific yellow and black western Atlantic species rather than the general group

rock beauty

vsHolocanthus tricolor

8.5

A bright gold and black fish that lives on coral reefs from the Caribbean to Brazil

is the same species but called by a different common group name

Surface Forms

Holocanthus tricolor singular

Holocanthus tricolors plural

Morphology

Holocanthus + tricolor

This is a Latin binomial where 'tricolor' clearly means 'three-colored', so a learner would transparently infer a three-coloured entity. However, 'Holocanthus' is a taxonomic proper name with no lexical meaning for a B1 learner, so the core sense 'a species of angelfish' is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Holocanthus tricolor is a scientific name that paints a simple picture of the fish: Holocanthus points to its spiny, angelfish shape and tricolor means 'three-coloured'. So the name helps you remember this bright, rock-beauty angelfish by its strong shape and its three main colours.