noun
- plural of goatfish; marine fish with barbels under the chin, found in tropical and subtropical waters
Usage: marine biology
Examples
- The coral reef was home to several species of goatfishes.
- Goatfishes use their barbels to search for food in the sand.
- The aquarium’s tropical tank displayed colorful goatfishes.
- Marine biologists studied the feeding behavior of goatfishes.
- Snorkelers often spot goatfishes near rocky outcrops.
- The goatfishes quickly buried themselves in the sandy bottom when threatened.