Barbel (Noun)
Meaning
Slender tactile process on the jaws of a fish.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The catfish uses its barbel to detect movement and changes in the surrounding water.
- Some species of sturgeon have short barbels that aid in finding food in murky waters.
- The barbels on the carp's mouth are very sensitive to touch and smell.
- Goldfish have small barbel-like growths around their mouths but they are not developed as in some other carp species.
- The long barbels on the goatfish help the fish 'feel' its way around its surroundings at night.