alligatorfish

9.9

A small long sea fish with a bony armor that lives in northern Pacific waters

noun
/ˈælɪˌɡeɪtərˌfɪʃ/

Specialized

: pez caimán

Unlike most fish, the alligatorfish has a tough, bony armor covering its body.

Examples

The alligatorfish relies on its camouflage to hide from predators along the ocean floor.
Marine biologists discovered several species of alligatorfish during their expedition in the North Pacific.
The alligatorfish is known for its unique appearance.
Look at that alligatorfish swimming gracefully!
Marine biologists discovered several species of alligatorfish during their expedition in the North Pacific.
The alligatorfish relies on its camouflage to hide from predators along the ocean floor.
Unlike most fish, the alligatorfish has a tough, bony armor covering its body.

Synonyms

Aspidophoroides

vsalligatorfish

Specialized

9.9

A small, long sea fish with bony plates found in northern seas

is used for a single fish rather than for the whole group

Aspidophoroides monopterygius

vsalligatorfish

Specialized

9.9

A small long, thin sea fish that lives on the rocky sea floor

is the general common name for similar fishes rather than one named species

Surface Forms

alligatorfish singular

alligatorfishes plural

Morphology

alligatorfish = alligator + fish (transparent) = alligator + fish

The compound denotes a fish associated with or resembling an alligator, a clear compositional name.

Etymology

The word alligatorfish is a simple compound of alligator and fish, named because its rough, bony plates remind people of an alligator's 'armor'. So, alligatorfish means a small, long sea fish with a hard bony covering.