Cornetfish Explained

The cornetfishes or flutemouths^[1] 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.^[2]

Ranging up to 2m (07feet) 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.

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.^[3]

Cornetfish are of minor interest for fishing, and can be found in local markets within their range.^[4]

Species

Currently, four recognized species are placed in this genus:

• 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)

External links

• 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

Notes and References

1. Fishes of Australia, FISTULARIIDAE Flutemouths (Museum Victoria)
2. Fritzsche, R.A. 1976. A review of the cornetfishes, genus Fistularia (Fistulariidae) with a discussion of intrageneric relationships and zoogeography. Bulletin of Marine Science 26(2): 196-204.
3. Book: Paxton, J.R. . Eschmeyer, W.N.. Orr, J.W. . Pietsch, T.W.. 1998. Encyclopedia of Fishes. Academic Press. San Diego. 170–171. 0-12-547665-5.
4. Web site: 2022-01-20. We find what looks like an alien species at a fish market so of course we make sashimi out of it. 2022-01-20. SoraNews24 -Japan News-. en-US.