bonefish

American  

[bohn-fish] / ˈboʊnˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

bonefishes,

plural

bonefish

1. a marine game fish, Albula vulpes, found in shallow tropical waters, having a skeleton composed of numerous small, fine bones.

2. ladyfish.

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bonefish British  

/ ˈbəʊnˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. a silvery marine clupeoid game fish, Albula vulpes , occurring in warm shallow waters: family Albulidae

2. a similar related fish, Dixonina nemoptera , of the Pacific Ocean

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Etymology

Origin of bonefish

An Americanism dating back to 1725–35; bone ( def. ) + fish

Example Sentences

So far, the Charles Darwin Scientific Station has registered 10.659 species — some endemic and others introduced — ranging from mammals to bonefish to snakes, fungi and plants, plankton and bacteria.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2021

Fishing captain Brett Greco has spent nearly half his life guiding anglers in pursuit of tarpon, bonefish, snook, redfish, permit and sea trout in the rich waters of Florida Bay.

From Scientific American • Jun. 21, 2019

Several minutes and as many runs later, I’m cradling my first-ever bonefish before releasing it.

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2017

After lunch, we turned our attention to bonefish.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2017

So we were really amped to know that Dad would soon be back in his skiff, guiding for bonefish and tarpon and snook.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen