| Remarks |
Goes back to the word 'Moro' used for 'Muslims'. The people of Amboyna, Muslims, showed respect for this fish and then released it. Reportedly, Muslims of Africa and Asia venerated this fish, probably due to its long sickle-form dorsal fin, and hence its name, Moorish idol (Ref. 4537). Its Latin name, Zanclus cornutus, can be literally translated as ‘horned back’: Zanclus, from Greek agklino, i.e., ‘to be on one’s back’ (Ref. 45335), and cornutus from Latin, i.e., horned (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0059:entry=cornutus1). The name Zanclus was applied to a person, the first king of Messina (Sicily), who gave his name to the town of Zancle (http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/3643.html). Which makes Gill of Nemo a venerated Sicilian crowned prince. |