noun
longfin batfish; teira batfish
A species of batfish (Platax teira) with a distinctive disc-like body and long fins, found in the Indo-Pacific. The Japanese name means 'swallow fish', likely from its wing-like fins.
水族館でツバメウオの群れを見た。
I saw a school of teira batfish at the aquarium.
ツバメウオは幼魚のときは枯れ葉に擬態することで知られている。
Teira batfish are known for mimicking dead leaves when they are juveniles.
noun
Rare alternate name for flying fish (トビウオ). This usage is uncommon and may cause confusion; トビウオ is the standard term.
See also: トビウオ
一部の地方では、トビウオのことをツバメウオと呼ぶことがあるらしい。
In some regions, flying fish are apparently called ツバメウオ.
Standard Japanese word for flying fish. ツバメウオ in sense 2 is a rare synonym, but トビウオ is the common term.
Compound of ツバメ (swallow) and ウオ (fish), referring to the wing-like fins that resemble a swallow in flight. The kanji form 燕魚 directly reflects this meaning.