goosefish

goosefish
/goohs"fish'/, n., pl. (esp. collectively) goosefish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) goosefishes.
angler (def. 3).
[1800-10, Amer.; GOOSE + FISH]

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 any of about 25 species of anglerfishes of the family Lophiidae (order Lophiiformes), found in warm and temperate seas around the world. Goosefishes are soft and flabby with wide, flattened heads and slender, tapering bodies. They may grow to a maximum length and weight of about 1.8 metres (6 feet) and 34 kilograms (75 pounds). They have very large mouths and large, sharp teeth. Their heads are topped by a row of three isolated dorsal fin spines, the first of which is formed into a “fishing pole” tipped by a fleshy “bait,” structures characteristic of all anglerfishes.

      Goosefishes generally live on the bottom, lying quietly or moving slowly about. They are carnivorous, and commonly “fish” for their prey, luring it near enough with the “bait” to be taken with a sudden snap. Fishes form the main part of the diet; various invertebrates and seabirds are also eaten. Goosefishes are sold as food in some regions. Species include the American Atlantic Lophius americanus; the European L. piscatorius, known as angler, or monkfish; and the Oriental Lophiomus setigerus, the ankō of Japan.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • goosefish — [go͞os′fish΄] n. pl. goosefish or goosefishes (see FISH) any of a family (Lophiidae) of anglers characterized by large, sharp teeth and a wide, flat body: see MONKFISH …   English World dictionary

  • Goosefish — Goose fish , n. (Zo[ o]l.) See {Angler}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Goosefish — Taxobox name = Goosefishes image width = 240px image caption = Angler, Lophius piscatorius regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Actinopterygii ordo = Lophiiformes familia = Lophiidae subdivision ranks = Genera subdivision = Lophiodes… …   Wikipedia

  • goosefish — Angler An gler, n. 1. One who angles. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) A fish ({Lophius piscatorius}), of Europe and America, having a large, broad, and depressed head, with the mouth very large. Peculiar appendages on the head are said to be used to …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • goosefish — europinis jūrų velnias statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Lophius piscatorius angl. angler; fishing frog; frogfish; goosefish; monkfish; sea devil rus. европейский морской чёрт; европейский удильщик… …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • goosefish — noun Date: 1807 any of a family (Lophiidae) of pediculate fishes with a large flattened head, a fringe of flaps along each side of the lower jaw, head, and body, and a long stalk on the head with a flap of flesh at the tip for attracting prey;… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • goosefish — n. angler, large predatory fish; monkfish …   English contemporary dictionary

  • goosefish — noun (plural same or goosefishes) N. Amer. a bottom dwelling anglerfish. [Lophius americanus and other species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • goosefish — noun fishes having large mouths with a wormlike filament attached for luring prey • Syn: ↑angler, ↑anglerfish, ↑angler fish, ↑monkfish, ↑lotte, ↑allmouth, ↑Lophius Americanus • Derivationally related forms …   Useful english dictionary

  • American goosefish — amerikinis jūrų velnias statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Lophius americanus angl. American goosefish; fishing frog; molligut monkfish rus. американский морской чёрт; американский удильщик ryšiai:… …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

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