What is "catalufa"

catalufa \catalufa\ n. a type of brightly colored carnivorous fish ( Priacanthus arenatus) of the West Atlantic and West Indies waters.

Syn: Priacanthus arenatus.

n. Any of three priacanthid fish: ''Heteropriacanthus cruentatus'', ''Priacanthus arenatus'', and ''Pristigenys serrula''.

n. brightly colored carnivorous fish of western Atlantic and West Indies waters [syn: Priacanthus arenatus]

Catalufa is the common name for three species of fish belonging to the Priacanthidae family:

• Heteropriacanthus cruentatus
• Priacanthus arenatus
• Pristigenys serrula - the popeye catalufa

The word catalufa is also used in several Caribbean countries as the Spanish or French language common name for a number of other Priacanthidae species. The French-speaking islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe also refer to the species Rhomboplites aurorubens (family Lutjanidae) as a catalufa.

Catalufas are also commonly called "bigeyes" (the common name for all Priacanthidae).