Bluespotted cornetfish
| Bluespotted cornetfish | |
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| Species: | F. commersonii
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| Binomial name | |
| Fistularia commersonii | |
The bluespotted cornetfish, smooth cornetfish, or smooth flutemouth, Fistularia commersonii, is a marine fish which belongs to the family Fistulariidae. This very long and slender reef-dweller belongs to the same order as the pipefishes and seahorses, called Syngnathiformes. It is widespread in the tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea. In 2000 its presence was reported in the Mediterranean Sea, since when it has continued to disperse and is now well-established in some areas.[2] This species is considered as part of the Lessepsian migration.[3]
The fish is of minor importance commercially, mostly being sold as fish meal but also fresh and preserved.[2] It is also sold as an aquarium fish.
Morphology
The bluespotted cornetfish is notable for its unusually long, slender body shape.[2] It has a tubular snout, large eyes and a long tail filament lined with sensory pores which may help with detecting prey. Its body is greenish-grey to brown with two thin blue stripes or lines of dots on the back and lighter on the front.
It grows to a length of 1.6 m (5.2 ft), but the average is around 1 m (3.3 ft).[4]
Biology
The bluespotted cornetfish is usually a solitary predator, stalking and feeding on small fishes, crustaceans and squid.[2] Sometimes they feed in small groups along the bottom on small bottom-dwelling fish which their long snouts are very efficient at sucking up.
Reproduction is oviparous- the large eggs hatch and develop outside of the body. Larvae hatch at 6-7mm.
References
- ^ "Fistularia commersonii". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- ^ a b c d Bray, Dianne; Thompson, Vanessa. "Smooth Flutemouth, Fistularia commersonii". Fishes of Australia. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ http://eol.org/pages/211940/details#distribution
- ^ http://www.fishbase.org/summary/5444
External links
- http://doris.ffessm.fr/fiche2.asp?fiche_numero=2450&fiche_etat=4&origine=
- http://fran.cornu.free.fr/affichage/affichage_nom.php?id_espece=41
- http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217966
- http://www.fishbase.org/summary/5444
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