burrfish

9.9

A small spiny fish with short hard spines that can stand up for defense

noun
/ˈbɜrˌfɪʃ/

Specialized

: pez erizo

The burrfish can inflate its body when threatened by predators.

Examples

Unlike porcupinefish, the burrfish's spines are always visible and upright.
During our dive, we spotted a burrfish hiding among the corals.
Look at that burrfish swimming near the coral reef!
The burrfish is known for its unique defense mechanism.
During our dive, we spotted a burrfish hiding among the corals.
The burrfish can inflate its body when threatened by predators.
Look at that burrfish swimming near the coral reef!

Synonyms

Chilomycterus

vsburrfish

Specialized

9.9

A fish from warm seas with a round spiny body that can swell up when threatened

is the general small spiny family fish term, not a genus name

porcupinefish

vsburrfish

8.3

A fish from warm seas that puffs up and shows sharp spines to protect itself

is generally smaller and has rigid flattened spines rather than sharp ones

Diodon

vsburrfish

Specialized

9.9

A tropical or subtropical sea fish with spines that can puff up when threatened

is a general small spiny family fish term not a specific genus name

How Spiny

porcupinefish

8.3

pufferfish

1 6.3

burrfish

Specialized

9.9

perch

8 4.2

minnow

15 4.2

Surface Forms

burrfish singular

burrfish plural

Morphology

burrfish = burr + fish (transparent) = burr + fish

The compound is transparently a fish characterized by burr-like (spiny) features; the meaning follows straightforwardly from its parts.

Etymology

The word burrfish is made from burr, the small, 'prickly' seed that sticks to clothes, and fish. So a burrfish is a fish covered in stiff spines, like a burr, which it raises to protect itself.