Cornetfish
Family of fishes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The cornetfishes or flutemouths[3] are a small family, the Fistulariidae, of extremely elongated fish 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: | |
|---|---|
| |
| Fistularia commersonii | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Suborder: | Syngnathoidei |
| Superfamily: | Aulostomoidea |
| Family: | Fistulariidae Stark, 1828 |
| 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)
The following fossil species are also known:[8][9]
- †Fistularia contermina Daniltshenko, 1960 - Oligocene of North Caucasus, Russia
- †Fistularia licatae Sauvage, 1880 - Miocene of Italy
- †Fistularia koenigii Agassiz, 1839 - Oligocene of Switzerland
The species F. longirostris was formerly placed in this genus, but is now placed in Parasynarcualis.[9]
