tropical fish
noun
: any of various small usually showy fishes of tropical origin often kept in a tropical aquarium
Examples of tropical fish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But there’s relatively little research on how heat affects learning and memory in tropical fish that manage to survive high temperatures.
—
Rebecca Dzombak, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2023
The coral reef that frames the island brims with tropical fish, manta rays, giant clams, and sharks.
—Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2023
The federal government is looking to ban importation and exportation of a species of a tropical fish that conservation groups have long said is exploited by the pet trade.
—Patrick Whittle, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023
Turtles and tropical fish now populate the wreck, known for being easily accessible even for less-experienced divers.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2023
Snorkelers and divers take to Islamorada’s clear waters to explore shallow reefs (including Alligator Reef and Rocky Top) and shipwrecks like Chaves Wreck, a freighter that traveled with the doomed 1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet, and swim among tropical fish.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2023
The aquarium features an array of tropical fish, coral reefs, and other fascinating sea creatures.
—James Barrett, ELLE Decor, 27 July 2023
The opposing relationship between WNT and BMP in human fingertips is characteristic of Turing patterns—in which different, overlapping chemical activities give rise to complex patterns—which are widespread in nature and give rise to the stripes and spots seen in animal fur and tropical fish skin.
—Byclaire Asher, science.org, 9 Feb. 2023
Explore the waters of El Nido, where tropical fish swarm around the coral reefs, go diving in the azure ocean off of Linapacan Island or bravely swim through one of the world's longest underground rivers.
—Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2023
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Rebecca Dzombak, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2023
The coral reef that frames the island brims with tropical fish, manta rays, giant clams, and sharks.
—Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2023
The federal government is looking to ban importation and exportation of a species of a tropical fish that conservation groups have long said is exploited by the pet trade.
—Patrick Whittle, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023
Turtles and tropical fish now populate the wreck, known for being easily accessible even for less-experienced divers.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2023
Snorkelers and divers take to Islamorada’s clear waters to explore shallow reefs (including Alligator Reef and Rocky Top) and shipwrecks like Chaves Wreck, a freighter that traveled with the doomed 1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet, and swim among tropical fish.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2023
The aquarium features an array of tropical fish, coral reefs, and other fascinating sea creatures.
—James Barrett, ELLE Decor, 27 July 2023
The opposing relationship between WNT and BMP in human fingertips is characteristic of Turing patterns—in which different, overlapping chemical activities give rise to complex patterns—which are widespread in nature and give rise to the stripes and spots seen in animal fur and tropical fish skin.
—Byclaire Asher, science.org, 9 Feb. 2023
Explore the waters of El Nido, where tropical fish swarm around the coral reefs, go diving in the azure ocean off of Linapacan Island or bravely swim through one of the world's longest underground rivers.
—Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tropical fish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1931, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near tropical fish
Cite this Entry
“Tropical fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tropical%20fish. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
tropical fish
noun
: any of various small usually brightly colored fishes that occur wild especially in the tropics and are often kept in tropical aquariums
More from Merriam-Webster on tropical fish
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tropical fish
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