Chaetodontidae

/ˌkiːtəˌdɑːnˈtaɪdi/ noun

Definition

A large family of colorful, compressed marine fish found in tropical reef environments worldwide, characterized by their distinctive bright patterns and small bristle-like teeth.

Etymology

From Greek 'chaete' (bristle) and 'odons' (tooth), combined with the family suffix '-idae' in Linnaean taxonomic nomenclature for categorizing fish families.

Kelly Says

There are over 130 species of butterflyfish in this family, and many mate for life and hunt together as a team—they're so monogamous that if one dies, the surviving fish often refuses to eat and may die from grief!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.