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Glite Dictionary
Toxotidae

Toxotidae

9.9
Small tropical fish that shoot water to knock insects off plants
  • noun
  • /ˌtɒksoʊˈtaɪdiː/
  • Specialized
: Toxotidae
  • The aquarium features several species from the Toxotidae family, including the well-known archerfish.

Examples

  • Scientists study Toxotidae to better understand how animals use water as a hunting tool.

  • The Toxotidae are known for their remarkable ability to shoot jets of water to catch insects from trees.

  • Members of the Toxotidae family are famous for their unique hunting strategy.

  • The Toxotidae family includes fascinating fish.

  • Have you ever seen a Toxotidae shoot water?

  • In freshwater habitats, the Toxotidae family exhibits a unique hunting technique that captivates many fish enthusiasts.

  • Aquarists often appreciate the Toxotidae for their interactive feeding behavior and striking appearance.

Synonyms

archerfish
vsToxotidae
  • Australian
1 9.5

A small freshwater fish that shoots water to knock insects into the water

refers to the whole family rather than a single fish species
family Toxotidae
vsToxotidae
  • Specialized
8.9

A group of tropical fish that shoot water to knock insects into the water

is about knocking insects off overhanging vegetation rather than into water

Compounds

family Toxotidae
  • Specialized
8.9

A group of tropical fish that shoot water to knock insects into the water

Surface Forms

Toxotidae singular
Toxotidae plural

Etymology

Toxotidae comes from the Greek words toxotes ('archer') and toxon ('bow'). These fishes are called archerfishes because they 'shoot' jets of water like an archer shoots an arrow, so the name matches their hunting way.