doctorfish

Thân thiện

A doctorfish swims among the coral reef.

Definition

Noun: 1. A type of surgeonfish (family Acanthuridae) found in the West Indies and tropical western Atlantic Ocean. It is characterized by a laterally compressed body, a small mouth, and a sharp, scalpel-like spine on each side of the tail base.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • We saw a school of doctorfish grazing on algae near the coral reef.
  • The doctorfish is easily identified by the yellow stripe on its side and the sharp spine near its tail.
  • Be careful when handling a doctorfish; its caudal spine can cause a painful wound.

Advanced Usage

• The term "doctorfish" is often used interchangeably with "ocean surgeonfish" () in marine biology and by divers. The name "doctor" or "surgeon" refers to the sharp, lancet-like spines.

Variants and Related Words

• Surgeonfish (n): The common name for the family Acanthuridae, to which the doctorfish belongs.
• Ocean surgeonfish (n): A more specific common name for .

Synonyms

• Ocean surgeonfish
• (scientific name)

Related Phrases

• Surgeonfish spine: Refers specifically to the sharp defensive appendage on the doctorfish's tail.
  • The doctorfish uses its surgeonfish spine for defense against predators.

Học thuật

Noun

1. surgeon fish of the West Indies

Từ đồng nghĩa

• doctor-fish
• Acanthurus chirurgus