poeciliid
/pɔɪˈsɪlɪɪd/noun
A fish of the family Poeciliidae, which comprises small, predominantly live-bearing fishes occurring in fresh and brackish waters from the eastern United States to northern Argentina.
- The family includes many popular aquarium fishes such as guppies, mollies, and swordtails..
adjective
Belonging to or characteristic of the family Poeciliidae.
Origin
Early 20th century. From scientific Latin Poecilia, genus name (M. E. Bloch and O. G. Schneider Systema ichthyologiae 452; from ancient Greek ποικίλος many-coloured + scientific Latin -ia) + -id, after scientific Latin Poeciliidae, family name.