The cornetfishes or flutemouths[3] are a small family, the Fistulariidae, of extremely elongated fishes in the order Syngnathiformes. The family consists of a single genus, Fistularia, with four species, found worldwide in tropical and subtropical marine environments.[4]
Cornetfish Temporal range: | |
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Fistularia commersonii | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Syngnathiformes |
Suborder: | Aulostomoidei |
Superfamily: | Aulostomoidea |
Family: | Fistulariidae Blainville, 1818 |
Genus: | Fistularia Linnaeus, 1758 |
Type species | |
Fistularia tabacaria Linnaeus, 1758 | |
Species | |
See text. | |
Synonyms[2] | |
Ranging up to 2 m (6.6 ft) in length, cornetfishes are as thin and elongated as many eels, but are distinguished by very long snouts, distinct dorsal and anal fins, and forked caudal fins whose center rays form a lengthy filament. The lateral line is well-developed and extends onto the caudal filament.[5]
Cornetfish are found in tropical and temperate marine waters around the world, in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. They are often found in coastal waters over soft-bottomed areas like coral reefs, sand flats, and seagrass beds, where they feed on small fishes, crustaceans, and other invertebrates.[5]
Cornetfish are of minor interest for fishing, and can be found in local markets within their range.[6]
Species
Currently, four recognized species are placed in this genus:[7]
- Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838 (blue-spotted or smooth cornetfish)
- Fistularia corneta C. H. Gilbert & Starks, 1904 (Pacific cornetfish)
- Fistularia petimba Lacépède, 1803 (red cornetfish)
- Fistularia tabacaria Linnaeus, 1758 (cornetfish or blue-spotted cornetfish)
References
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Cornetfish video from Makena Landing, Maui Hawaii
- YouTube video of a group of cornetfish taken in Shark's Bay, Egypt.
- Genetic bottlenecks and successful biological invasions: the case of a recent Lessepsian migrant by Daniel Golani, Ernesto Azzurro, Maria Corsini-Foka, Manuela Falautano, Franco Andaloro, and Giacomo Bernardi