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🐟 A trout species 🍽️ Trout meat
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Oncorhynchus mykiss

9.3
A fish called rainbow trout that lives in rivers and lakes and sometimes goes to the ocean
  • noun
  • /ˌɒŋkəˈrɪŋkəs ˈmaɪkɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : trucha arcoíris
  • Fisheries biologists study the migration patterns of Oncorhynchus mykiss every spring.

Examples

  • The Oncorhynchus mykiss travels hundreds of miles from the ocean to its spawning grounds.

  • Many anglers hope to catch a large Oncorhynchus mykiss during the spawning season.

  • The Oncorhynchus mykiss is a popular fish among anglers.

  • Many rivers in the Pacific Northwest are home to Oncorhynchus mykiss.

  • The Oncorhynchus mykiss is known for its vibrant colors and distinctive pink stripe along its side.

  • In many rivers, the Oncorhynchus mykiss can be found swimming upstream to spawn.

  • Anglers appreciate the Oncorhynchus mykiss for its fighting ability when hooked.

Synonyms

steelhead
vsOncorhynchus mykiss
  • Specialized
9 6.7

A large silvery fish like a rainbow trout that lives in the sea and returns to rivers to lay eggs

is the species name that also includes nonmigratory lake and river populations
Salmo gairdneri
vsOncorhynchus mykiss
  • Archaic
8.4

A type of trout called rainbow trout, found in coastal rivers from California to Alaska

is the same species but described more broadly across rivers, lakes, and sometimes oceans

Surface Forms

Oncorhynchus mykiss singular
Oncorhynchus mykisses plural

Morphology

Oncorhynchus + mykiss

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name whose full meaning (referring to rainbow trout flesh served as food) is specialized and not compositionally derivable from the parts. Knowing 'Oncorhynchus' as a fish genus and an unknown 'mykiss' would not allow a B1 learner to infer the culinary sense without taxonomic or domain-specific knowledge, so it is unpredictable for general learners.

Etymology

Oncorhynchus mykiss is the scientific name for the fish most people call the 'rainbow trout' or 'steelhead'. Scientists use this exact name so everyone knows it is the same species that lives in rivers and lakes and sometimes travels to the ocean, so the name means that particular fish species.