needlefish

/need"l fish'/, n., pl. (esp. collectively) needlefish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) needlefishes.

1. any fish of the family Belonidae, of warm seas and coastal fresh waters, having a sharp beak and needlelike teeth.

2. a pipefish.

[1595-1605; NEEDLE + FISH]

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Any of about 60 species (family Belonidae) of primarily marine, edible, carnivorous fishes found throughout temperate and tropical waters.

Needlefish are adept jumpers and have a long, slender jaw with sharp teeth. They are long, slim, and silvery, with a blue or green back. The largest species grows to 4 ft (1.2 m) long. The garfish (Belone belone) occurs in Europe, and the houndfish (Tylosurus crocodilus) is found everywhere in the tropics.

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▪ fish

      any of the long, slim, primarily marine fishes of the family Belonidae (order Atheriniformes), found throughout temperate and tropical waters. Needlefish are adept jumpers, carnivorous in habit, and distinguished by long, slender jaws equipped with sharp teeth. They are silvery fish, with blue or green backs, and are edible. The family includes some 60 species, the largest growing about 1.2 m (4 feet) long. Among the species are the garfish (Belone belone) of Europe and the houndfish (Tylosurus crocodilus), found everywhere in the tropics.

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