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Glite Dictionary
siluriform fish

siluriform fish

8.4
A freshwater fish like a catfish that lives near river bottoms and has whisker-like feelers around its mouth
  • noun
  • /sɪˈlʊrɪfɔrm fɪʃ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pez siluriforme
  • Many siluriform fishes are known for their whisker-like barbels.

Examples

  • The Amazon basin is home to a remarkable diversity of siluriform fish species.

  • Scientists discovered a new species of siluriform fish in the murky waters of the lake.

  • Many siluriform fish have specialized adaptations for living on river bottoms.

  • The siluriform fish swam gracefully in the aquarium.

  • Scientists discovered a new species of siluriform fish in the murky waters of the lake.

  • The Amazon basin is home to a remarkable diversity of siluriform fish species.

  • Many siluriform fish have specialized adaptations for living on river bottoms.

Synonyms

catfish
vssiluriform fish
60 1.0

A fish with whisker-like feelers often eaten as food

is the taxonomic group mainly freshwater and bottom-dwelling rather than general name

Surface Forms

siluriform fish singular
siluriform fishes plural

Morphology

siluriform + fish

The phrase is a simple adjective + noun composition: 'siluriform' specifies a type or form and 'fish' names the animal, so the meaning 'a fish that is siluriform / of the Siluriformes (catfish-like)' is directly derivable from the constituents. Although 'siluriform' is technical and rare (so likely unfamiliar to B1 learners), the combination itself is fully compositional and predictable if the learner knows the adjective.

Etymology

Siluriform fish comes from the old name 'Silurus' for catfish and gives a clear image: these fish have whisker-like 'barbels', small whiskers near the mouth like a cat's. That's why siluriform fish today means catfish that live on the bottoms of rivers and lakes.