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spottail

spottail

1 8.4
A small freshwater fish with a dark spot near the tail
  • noun
  • /ˈspɒteɪl/
  • US
: pez de cola manchada
  • The spottail shiner is known for the distinctive black spot located near its tail.
  • spottail shiners

Examples

  • Neither do spottail sharks nor the aptly named bignose sharks.

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  • Anglers often catch the spottail shiner when fishing in freshwater lakes and rivers.

  • Due to its unique coloration, the spottail shiner is easily recognized among other fish species.

Surface Forms

spottail singular
spottails plural

Morphology

spottail = spot + tail (transparent) = spot + tail

The fish name literally denotes a tail with a spot; this transparent, descriptive compound is typical in animal names.

Etymology

Spottail comes from spot + tail and names a small freshwater fish with a dark 'spot' near its 'tail', as in the common spottail shiner.