ichthyphagous

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/ɪkˈθɪfəɡəs/

A form of ichthyophagous — Feeding on fish.

Scrabble 30

Meanings

adjectiveichthyphagous (comparative more ichthyphagous, superlative most ichthyphagous)

comparative more ichthyphagous · superlative most ichthyphagous

  1. alternativeAlternative spelling of ichthyophagous.

    All species may be considered as more or less specialized entomophagous or ichthyphagous predators.

    2003, Didier Paugy, Christian Lévêque, and Guy G. Teugels (editors), The Fresh and Brackish Water Fishes of West Africa, Institut de recherche pour le développement, volume I (10) (13), unknown page
    3 more examples

    Dr. Leyden entertained an opinion that the Battas of Sumatra were the Ichthyophagi of Herodotus; but I agree with Mr. Anderson in thinking this supposition fallacious, as the Battas do not inhabit the coasts, but are always found in the interior; rarely venturing down to the shore, and indulge, as we have seen, an appetite of a very different kind from any that could be designated simply ichthyphagous.

    1839, Lt. Thomas John Newbold, Political and Statistical Account of the British Settlements in the Straits of Malacca, viz. Pinang, Malacca, and Singapore, London: John Murray, Albemarle Street, volume II, chapter xv: “On the Wild Tribes of the Malay Peninsula”, page 414

    If, on its coasts, the sea washes nothing but almost inaccessible rocks, let it remain barbarous and ichthyphagous: it will have a quieter, perhaps a better, and certainly a happier life.

    1950, George Douglas Howard Cole (translator), Jean-Jacques Rousseau (author), The Social Contract and Discourses, Dutton, page 51

    With the creation of the large reserves in the Danube Delta, protective measures have taken on a more intensive character and have eliminated in part the causes of dwindling wildfowl stocks. They include campaigns to combat ichthyphagous birds, reed-burning, poaching, the catching of birds and nestlings, the collection and destruction of eggs, etc.

    1966, Second European Meeting on Wildfowl Conservation: Proceedings, page 109

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekἰχθυφάγος
  2. Englishichthyphagous

Ancient Greek ἰχθυφάγος (ikhthuphágos) (ikhthuphagos: alternative spelling of ἰχθυοφάγος (ikhthuophágos), ikhthuophagos; whence ichthyophage) + English -ous

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

ichthyphagous. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ichthyphagous

MLA

“ichthyphagous.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ichthyphagous. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ichthyphagous,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ichthyphagous.

Source: ichthyphagous on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.