Goatfish

/ˈɡoʊtfɪʃ/ noun

Definition

A type of sea fish with whisker-like barbels hanging from its chin, resembling a goat's beard.

Etymology

Compound of 'goat' + 'fish', named for the distinctive barbels (whisker-like sensory appendages) on its lower jaw that look like goat whiskers.

Kelly Says

Those whisker-like barbels are actually chemosensory organs that help the fish find food in sandy bottoms—so the goatfish's 'beard' is really a sophisticated biological metal detector!

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