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Glite Dictionary
family Characinidae

family Characinidae

9.6
An old scientific name for a group of fish that live in rivers and lakes like tetras
  • noun
  • Archaic
: familia Characinidae
  • The species formerly classified under family Characinidae are now included in the Characidae.

Examples

  • Many aquarium enthusiasts are familiar with the tetra fishes once known as part of the family Characinidae.

  • Ichthyologists often refer to the family Characinidae in older scientific literature.

  • The family Characinidae includes many popular aquarium fish.

  • Many species from the family Characinidae are known for their vibrant colors.

  • Many aquarium enthusiasts enjoy fish from the family Characinidae, such as tetras and piranhas.

  • In the past, the family Characinidae was the scientific classification for various freshwater fish now grouped under Characidae.

  • The family Characinidae is well-known for its diverse species that thrive in freshwater habitats.

Synonyms

Characinidae
vsfamily Characinidae
  • Archaic
9.9

A former scientific name for a group of freshwater fish like piranhas and tetras

is the later accepted name replacing the earlier term
Characidae
vsfamily Characinidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of tropical freshwater fish like tetras found in Africa and the Americas

is the older scientific name that was replaced by this current name

Surface Forms

family Characinidae singular
families Characinidae plural

Morphology

family + Characinidae

The phrase is a literal taxonomic noun phrase: 'family' indicates a scientific grouping and 'Characinidae' is the name of that group, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to the family called Characinidae (a group of related freshwater fishes). This composition follows a common, cross-linguistic naming pattern (rank + taxon name), making the meaning directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Family Characinidae was an older scientific name for a group of small freshwater fishes like tetras; scientists later changed the name to Characidae, so when you see family Characinidae in older books it means the same group 'now called' Characidae.