squawfish

squawfish
/skwaw"fish'/, n., pl. (esp. collectively) squawfish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) squawfishes.
1. any of several large, voracious cyprinid fishes of the genus Ptychocheilus, inhabiting rivers of the western U.S. and Canada: the Colorado squawfish, P. lucius, is endangered.
2. a viviparous perch, Embiotoca lateralis, living off the Pacific Coast of the U.S.
[1880-85, Amer.; SQUAW + FISH]

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▪ fish
also called  pikeminnow 
 any of several edible fishes of the genus Ptychocheilus found in the rivers of western North America. They are the largest members of the carp family (Cyprinidae) in North America. Because of the offensive connotation attributed to the word “squaw,” these animals are also referred to as pikeminnows. Squawfishes are long, large-mouthed, pikelike fishes. Voracious carnivores, they make lively sport fishes. The largest species, the Colorado River squawfish, or white salmon (P. lucius), may grow to about 1.5 metres (5 feet) with a reported weight of about 36 kilograms (79 pounds); because of changes in its habitat, this species has declined significantly and is considered endangered.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • squawfish — ☆ squawfish [skwô′fish΄ ] n. pl. squawfish or squawfishes (see FISH) any of a genus (Ptychocheilus) of very long, slender cyprinoid fishes, found in rivers of the W U.S. and Canada …   English World dictionary

  • squawfish — noun Date: 1881 any of several large cyprinid fishes (genus Ptychocheilus) of western North America called also pikeminnow …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • squawfish — common name for cyprinids of the genus Ptychocheilus, changed to pikeminnow so as not to violate the tenets of good taste. Curiously, though offensive for centuries, its origin is the Algonquian squa , young woman or wife. See also jewfish …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • squawfish — noun A cyprinid fish of the genus Ptychocheilus, a voracious predator on small trout and salmon. Syn: pikeminnow …   Wiktionary

  • squawfish — squaw•fish [[t]ˈskwɔˌfɪʃ[/t]] n. pl. (esp. collectively) fish, (esp. for kinds or species) fish•es. ich any large, slender cyprinid fish of the genus Ptychocheilus, of W North America • Etymology: 1880–85, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • squawfish — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun 1. : any of several large cyprinid fishes (genus Ptychocheilus) of western No. America: as a. : a dull green silver marked fish (P. oregonensis) of the Columbia river b. : a closely related and nearly indistinguishable fish (P.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Northern squawfish — Taxobox name = Northern squawfish regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Actinopterygii ordo = Cypriniformes familia = Cyprinidae genus = Ptychocheilus species = P. oregonensis binomial = Ptychocheilus oregonensis binomial authority =… …   Wikipedia

  • Columbia squawfish — oregoninė indėnžuvė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Ptychocheilus oregonensis angl. Columbia river dace; Columbia squawfish; northern squawfish rus. орегонский птихохейлус ryšiai: platesnis terminas – …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • northern squawfish — oregoninė indėnžuvė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Ptychocheilus oregonensis angl. Columbia river dace; Columbia squawfish; northern squawfish rus. орегонский птихохейлус ryšiai: platesnis terminas – …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • List of fish common names — This is a list of fish common names. While some common names refer to a single species or family, others have been used for a confusing variety of different types; the articles listed here should explain the possibilities if the name is ambiguous …   Wikipedia

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