silver-fish, noun
- Origin:
- Named for its colour; cf. Dutch zilvervisch.
1. Either of two species of seabream, especially a. the carpenter, Argyrozona argyrozona; and b. the red steenbras (see steenbras sense b), Petrus rupestris. In both senses also called silver.
1731 G. Medley tr. of P. Kolben’s Present State of Cape of G.H. 203The fish at the Cape, call’d the Silver-fish, is of the shape of a Carp, and of the size of a Carp of a pound weight, and tastes not much unlike a carp. ’Tis a very white fish, adorn’d with several streaks, of a bright silver-colour. These silver-streaks appear like leaf-silver.
2. The freshwater fish Barbus mattozi of the Cyprinidae (yellowfishes and barbs).
- Note:
- Found in the Limpopo river system. In P. Skelton’s Freshwater Fishes (1993), the name ‘papermouth’ is used for B. mattozi.
1892 Nicolls & Eglington Sportsman in S. Afr. 138The Silver Fish. (May be caught up to 3 lbs in weight, and in shape resembles the Yellowtail. The colour is a bluish silver grey, with a pinkish tinge.) This fish is not met with in the rivers North of the Crocodile, and as an object from which sport can be derived, it deserves no special mention. It is not good eating.
1971 Beeton & Dorner in Eng. Usage in Sn Afr. Vol.1 No.2, 52Silver fish,..Predatory fish with characteristic large mouth, thin lips & protruding lower jaw; known in the Limpopo system.
Any of three species of marine and freshwater fish.
the carpenter, Argyrozona argyrozona; and
The freshwater fish Barbus mattozi of the Cyprinidae (yellowfishes and barbs).
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