kingfish, noun

Origin:
Australian and New Zealand EnglishShow more Perhaps transferred use of Australian and New Zealand English kingfish a name applied to the carangoid fish Seriola lalandii.
Any of several marine fishes of the Carangidae, but particularly Pseodocaranx dentex. See also maasbanker.
Note:
In Smith and Heemstra’s Smiths’ Sea Fishes (1986), the name ‘kingfish’ is used for fishes of the Carangidae.
1862 Argus in V. De Kock Fun They Had (1955) 164Here they cast a big net over the side, gazing down as it sank..where inquisitive fish ‘swarmed over and around it..but presently one little bold “kingfish”, gleaming in bronze armour, came nibbling at the bait’.
1906 E. London Dispatch 26 July (Pettman)A ‘king-fish’ is illustrated, the particular specimen weighing 28 lb.
1930 C.L. Biden Sea-Angling Fishes 55In South Africa Carangidae has 36 known species including Maas banker -..King-fish of Natal and East Africa waters Caranx carangus (Bl.)
c1936 S. & E. Afr. Yr Bk & Guide 347The most valuable fish..on the South African Coast are the sole, silver-fish,..stockfish, harder or mullet, kingfish, mackerel, etc.
1951 R.D. Campbell in A.C. Partridge Lives, Lett. & Diaries (1971) 170The kite was still climbing. It was a mere speck in the sky...The natives saw it glinting and flashing yellow in the sun as we played it like some gigantic kingfish in the wind.
1955 C. Horne Fisherman’s Eldorado 156Among those light tackle men are anglers who seek the kingfish.
1968 J.L.B. Smith High Tide 82One advantage of these coastal waters is the abundant free swimming surface fish easily caught by trolling, chiefly kingfish (Caranx), serra (the Natal barracuda, Scomberomorus), wahoo, small tunny and bonito and barracuda (the Natal snoek, Sphyraena).
1970 Daily Dispatch 16 June 17Unusual catch — a kingfish — taken in the Nahoon River. Kingfish are thought to be found only in Natal and Pondoland waters and are rated among the finest fighters in the sea.
1988 S. Afr. Panorama Dec. 40Shore fishermen seek the shad (Pomatomus saltator), kabeljou (Argyrosomus hololepidotus), grunter and inshore gamefish such as garrick (Lichia amia) and kingfish (Caranx species).
1989 J. Parnell in Ski-Boat Jan.–Feb. 44At low tide this is an idyllic spot for snorkeling, with beautiful coral, clams and all manner of sea creatures, including large kingfish, clearly visible in the crystal water.
Any of several marine fishes of the Carangidae, but particularly Pseodocaranx dentex.
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King, nounn.kingklip, nounn.
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