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Glite Dictionary
red goatfish

red goatfish

8.9
A bright red fish with two yellow stripes that lives in warm sea water
  • noun
  • /rɛd ˈɡoʊtˌfɪʃ/
translation icon : pez cabra rojo
  • We saw a red goatfish swimming near the coral reef during our dive.

Examples

  • The aquarium features several vibrant species, including the red goatfish.

  • Marine biologists study the behavior of the red goatfish in its natural habitat.

  • The red goatfish is a popular species among divers.

  • Have you ever seen a red goatfish in the wild?

  • We saw a red goatfish swimming near the coral reef during our dive.

  • The aquarium features several vibrant species, including the red goatfish.

  • Marine biologists study the behavior of the red goatfish in its natural habitat.

Synonyms

Mullus auratus
vsred goatfish
  • Specialized
9.9

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

is the common descriptive name used instead of the scientific species name

Surface Forms

red goatfish singular
red goatfishes plural

Morphology

red + goatfish

This is a straightforward color + noun composition: the phrase denotes a goatfish that is red, so the overall meaning is directly derivable from knowing 'red' and 'goatfish'. Such adjective + animal constructions are cross-linguistically common and follow regular composition patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Red goatfish gets its name from its bright red color and the two little 'whiskers' under its chin that look like a goat, so people called it a goatfish. That's why the name points to a brightly coloured tropical fish with goat-like 'whiskers' today.