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Glite Dictionary
catostomid

catostomid

9.9
A freshwater fish with a mouth that sucks food from river or lake beds
  • noun
  • /ˈkætəˌstoʊmɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : catostómido
  • A catostomid can be recognized by its distinctive mouth, adapted for vacuuming food from riverbeds.

Examples

  • Biologists conducted a study on the migration patterns of catostomids in the lake.

  • The river is home to several species of catostomid prized by local anglers.

  • The catostomid species is often found in freshwater rivers.

  • Many catostomids thrive in muddy habitats.

  • A catostomid can be recognized by its distinctive mouth, adapted for vacuuming food from riverbeds.

  • The river is home to several species of catostomid prized by local anglers.

  • Biologists conducted a study on the migration patterns of catostomid fish in the lake.

Surface Forms

catostomid singular
catostomids plural

Morphology

catostomid = Catostomidae (opaque) = catostom + id

Formed from a scientific family name/combining form rather than familiar English morphemes, so the components do not help an average learner infer the meaning.

Etymology

Catostomid comes from Greek parts kata- 'down' and stoma 'mouth', because these fish have a low, sucker-like mouth under their head. So, the name reminds you that a catostomid is a 'sucker' fish that feeds by vacuuming food from riverbeds.