squirrelfish

squirrelfish
/skwerr"euhl fish', skwur"-/ or, esp. Brit., /skwir"-/, n., pl. (esp. collectively) squirrelfish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) squirrelfishes.
any of several brightly colored, nocturnal fishes of the family Holocentridae, inhabiting shallow waters of tropical reefs, esp. the reddish Holocentrus ascensionis of the West Indies, armed with sharp spines and scales.
[1795-1805; perh. after the sound it makes out of water, likened to a squirrel's bark]

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▪ fish
also called  Soldierfish,  

      any of about 70 species of large-eyed, colourful, tropical reef fish of the family Holocentridae (order Beryciformes). Squirrelfish are edible fish found throughout the tropics. They have spiny fins and rough, prickly scales; some also have a sharp spine on each cheek. Most squirrelfish are red in colour, and many are marked with yellow, white, or black. The largest species is probably Holocentrus spinifer, a Pacific squirrelfish growing about 60 cm (24 inches) long. Squirrelfish are carnivorous and nocturnal, hiding by day among the reefs.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • squirrelfish — /ˈskwɪrəlfɪʃ/ (say skwiruhlfish) noun (plural squirrelfish or squirrelfishes) any fish of the tropical marine family Holocentridae, or of the related family Melamplaidae, having large eyes and a usually reddish body. Usage: For variation in the… …  

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  • squirrelfish — noun Any member of the subfamily Holocentrinae of the family Holocentridae of ray finned fish …   Wiktionary

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