roosterfish

1 9.9

A large fish from the eastern Pacific with a long comb-like top fin prized by people who fish

noun
/ˈruːstərˌfɪʃ/

: pez gallo

Have you ever caught a roosterfish while fishing?
catching a big roosterfish

Examples

While fishing off the coast of Costa Rica, we spotted a large roosterfish swimming near the reef.
The roosterfish is known for its striking appearance.
The roosterfish is prized by anglers for its strength and unique appearance.
We spotted a large roosterfish swimming near the surface of the Pacific waters.
Catching a roosterfish was the highlight of their fishing trip to Costa Rica.
The fisherman proudly displayed his catch: a 30-pound roosterfish famous for its impressive dorsal fin.
In the warm waters of the eastern Pacific, many anglers target roosterfish for their size and fighting ability.

Surface Forms

roosterfish singular

roosterfish plural

Morphology

roosterfish = rooster + fish (semi-transparent) = rooster + fish

The compound is literal in form (rooster + fish) but the species name is a metaphorical reference to the fish's comb-like dorsal fin, so the full specific meaning (a particular game fish) is not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The word roosterfish is just the English words rooster and fish put together; fishermen named it because its long, comb-like top fin looks like a rooster's 'comb'. That's why the name fits this large, showy game fish.