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goatfish

goatfish

9.2
A brightly colored tropical fish with whisker-like feelers on its chin
  • noun
translation icon : mullido
  • In warm waters, the goatfish can often be seen searching the sandy seabed for food.

Examples

  • Fishermen using light tackle line the windward shore during summer runs of oama and hahalalu (juvenile goatfish and bigeye scad).

    Academic text (1993)
  • The bright colors of the goatfish make it a popular choice for aquarium enthusiasts.

  • Fishermen often catch goatfish using bait to attract these colorful tropical fish.

Synonyms

Mullus auratus
vsgoatfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small red sea fish with two yellow stripes along its sides

is the general brightly colored tropical fish with chin barbels, not that exact species
red goatfish
vsgoatfish
8.9

A bright red fish with two yellow stripes that lives in warm sea water

is the broader bright tropical fish with chin barbels rather than that specific pattern
red mullet
vsgoatfish
6.8

A small red fish with whisker-like feelers that lives in warm seas

is the general tropical fish with chin barbels, not only the reddish variety
Mullus surmuletus
vsgoatfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small brightly colored sea fish with a whisker under its chin found in the Mediterranean and nearby Atlantic waters

is the general warm-sea brightly colored fish with chin barbels, not that regional species
surmullet
vsgoatfish
9.9

A bright sea fish with two small whiskers on its chin

is the general warm-sea brightly colored fish with chin barbels, not limited to that genus
Mulloidichthys martinicus
vsgoatfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A western Atlantic sea fish with a grey body and a bright yellow stripe that swims in schools

is the typical bright tropical fish with chin barbels, not the greyish schooling type
yellow goatfish
vsgoatfish
  • Specialized
8.1

A fish with a yellow stripe that swims in schools in warm tropical waters

is the general brightly colored tropical fish with chin barbels, not that yellow-striped species
Mulloidichthys
vsgoatfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical sea fish with bright colours that lives near coral reefs

is the individual brightly colored tropical fish with chin barbels rather than the whole genus
Mullus
vsgoatfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea fish with two chin whiskers like a goatfish

is the single brightly colored tropical fish with chin barbels, not the named genus
Mullidae
vsgoatfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of sea fish like red mullet with small whiskers on their chins

is one bright tropical fish with chin barbels rather than the entire family group
family Mullidae
vsgoatfish
  • Specialized
9.8

A group of sea fish like goatfish with small feelers under the chin often in warm seas

is an individual brightly colored tropical fish with chin barbels, not the family as a whole

Compounds

A bright red fish with two yellow stripes that lives in warm sea water

yellow goatfish
  • Specialized
8.1

A fish with a yellow stripe that swims in schools in warm tropical waters

Surface Forms

goatfish singular
goatfishes plural

Morphology

goatfish = goat + fish (transparent) = goat + fish

A straightforward compound 'goat' + 'fish' where the name describes a type of fish associated with goat-like features (chin barbels), so learners can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Goatfish gets its name from the fish's chin 'whiskers' that look like a goat's 'beard', so it is literally goat + fish. Those whiskers help the fish feel for food in the sand, which is why the name fits.