| Trumpetfish | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Aulostomus chinensis | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Suborder: | Syngnathoidei |
| Superfamily: | Aulostomoidea |
| Family: | Aulostomidae Rafinesque, 1815[2] |
| Genus: | Aulostomus Lacépède, 1803[1] |
| Type species | |
| Fistularia chinensis Linnaeus, 1766[3] | |
| Species | |
See text | |
| Synonyms[4] | |
Thetrumpetfishes are three species of highly specialized, tubularly-elongated marine fishes in the genusAulostomus, of themonogeneric familyAulostomidae. The trumpetfishes are members of the orderSyngnathiformes, together with theseahorses and the similarly built, closely relatedcornetfishes.[5][6]
Thegenus nameAulostomus comes fromAncient Greek αὐλός (aulós), meaning "flute", and στόμα (stóma), meaning "mouth", referring to the trumpetfishes' tube-shaped snouts.[5] "Flutemouth" is another less-common name for the members of the family (although this word is more often used to refer to closely related cornetfishes of the familyFistulariidae).
Trumpetfishes are found intropical waters worldwide, with two species in the Atlantic and one in the Indo-Pacific. They are mostlydemersal reef-dwellers, where one species seems to prefer rocky substrate.
They are relatively large for reef fish, where they reach almost 1 m in length. Bodies of trumpetfish are rigid, elongated, and pike-shaped.[7] Their dorsal and anal fins are closely adjacent to the tail, where individual dorsal spines reach midway towards the head region. Similar to most members of the order Syngnathiformes, the bodies of trumpetfish are inflexible, supported by interwoven struts of bone. A distinct trait of the family is their long, tubular snouts ending with somewhat undistinguished jaws. Members of the family have the capability to expand their jaws quickly into a circular, gaping hole almost to the body's diameter when feeding.
Aulostomids are highlycarnivorous fish. They stalk[7] their prey by hovering almost motionlessly a few inches above the substrate, making their way towards unsuspecting prey. Once close enough, they quickly dart in and expand their jaws rapidly. Opening their tube-like mouths in quick succession creates a strong suction force, which draws prey straight into the mouth. Aulostomids are known to feed almost exclusively on small, schooling reef fishes.[8]
While they have no commercial fisheries value, members of the family have been known to occasionally be found in the aquarium trade. Although not popular aquarium fish, they are common enough to have websites featuring instructions on keeping them in captivity.[9]
Currently, three species in this genus are recognized:[1]
The following fossil species ofAulostomus are also known:[10]
Other extinct fossil genera within the Aulostomidae includeEoaulostomus,Macroaulostomus,Jungersenichthys,Synhypuralis &Tyleria, all from theEarly Eocene of Italy, as well asFrauenweilerostomus from the Early Oligocene of Germany.[10][12][13]
