blackfish

Etymology

From black +‎ fish.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈblakfɪʃ/

Noun

blackfish (plural blackfishes or blackfish)

1. (chiefly Scotland) The Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, especially a female after spawning. [from 16th c.]
2. Any of various dark-coloured fish of the Old World, especially the rudderfish (Centrolophus niger). [from 17th c.]
3. A pilot whale, genus Globicephalus (occasionally also used for various other whales). [from 17th c.]
4. (Canada, US) Either of two dark-coloured fish of the west Atlantic, the tautog of New England (Tautoga onitis) and the black sea bass (Centropristis striata). [from 18th c.]
5. (Australia, New Zealand) Any of various dark-coloured fishes of Australasia, especially the luderick, Girella tricuspidata, and a freshwater fish, Gadopsis marmoratus. [from 18th c.]
   • 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber 2003, p. 337:

     The creek was reputed to contain blackfish and Nathan […] arranged the extraordinary collection of American lures he had inherited from an uncle.