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squawfish

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squaw⋅fish

[skwaw-fish]
–noun, plural (especially collectively) -fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) -fish⋅es.
1. any of several large, voracious cyprinid fishes of the genus Ptychocheilus, inhabiting rivers of the western U.S. and Canada: the Colorado squawfish, P. lucius, is endangered.
2. a viviparous perch, Embiotoca lateralis, living off the Pacific Coast of the U.S.

Origin:
1880–85, Americanism; squaw + fish
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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squaw·fish   (skwô'fĭsh')   
n.   pl. squawfish or squaw·fish·es
Any of several large cyprinid freshwater fishes of the genus Ptychocheilus, of western North America.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

squawfish

any of several edible fishes of the genus Ptychocheilus found in the rivers of western North America. They are the largest members of the carp family (Cyprinidae) in North America. Squawfishes are long, large-mouthed, pike-like fishes. Voracious carnivores, they make lively sport fishes. The largest species, the Colorado River squawfish, or white salmon (P. lucius), may grow to about 1.5 metres (5 feet) with a reported weight of about 36 kilograms (79 pounds); because of changes in its habitat, this species has declined significantly and is considered endangered

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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