Cichlidae

plural noun

Cich·​li·​dae
ˈsikləˌdē
: a large family of chiefly tropical freshwater percoid fishes similar in many respects to the American sunfishes, some (as the bolti) being important food fishes while a number of small forms are favored for the tropical aquarium

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Cichla, type genus (from Greek kichlē thrush, also, a kind of wrasse) + -idae; akin to Greek chelidōn swallow

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Dictionary Entries Near Cichlidae

Cite this Entry

“Cichlidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cichlidae. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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