butterfly-fish

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


a New Zealand sea-fish, Gasterochisma melampus, Richards., one of the Nomeidae. The ventral fins are exceedingly broad andlong, and can be completely concealed in a fold of the abdomen.The New Zealand fish is so named from these fins; the EuropeanButterfly-fish, Blennius ocellaris, derives its namefrom the spots on its dorsal fin, like the eyes in a peacock'stail or butterfly's wing.

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