Cornetfish
Encyclopedia
The cornetfishes are a small family Fistulariidae of extremely elongated fishes in the order Syngnathiformes
. The family consists of just a single genus Fistularia with four species, found worldwide in tropical and subtropical marine environments.
Ranging up to 200 centimetres (6.6 ft) in length, cornetfishes are as thin and elongate as many eel
s, but are distinguished by a very long snout, distinct dorsal
and anal fins, and a forked caudal fin whose center rays form a lengthy filament. The lateral line
is well-developed and extends onto the caudal filament.
They generally live in coastal waters or on coral reef
s, where they feed on small fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates.
Cornetfish are of minor interest for fishing
, and can be found in local markets within their range.
Syngnathiformes
Syngnathiformes is an order of ray-finned fishes that includes the pipefishes and seahorses.These fishes have elongate, narrow, bodies surrounded by a series of bony rings, and small, tubular mouths. Several groups live among seaweed and swim with the body aligned vertically, to blend in with the...
. The family consists of just a single genus Fistularia with four species, found worldwide in tropical and subtropical marine environments.
Ranging up to 200 centimetres (6.6 ft) in length, cornetfishes are as thin and elongate as many eel
Eel
Eels are an order of fish, which consists of four suborders, 20 families, 111 genera and approximately 800 species. Most eels are predators...
s, but are distinguished by a very long snout, distinct dorsal
Dorsal fin
A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of various unrelated marine and freshwater vertebrates, including most fishes, marine mammals , and the ichthyosaurs...
and anal fins, and a forked caudal fin whose center rays form a lengthy filament. The lateral line
Lateral line
The lateral line is a sense organ in aquatic organisms , used to detect movement and vibration in the surrounding water. Lateral lines are usually visible as faint lines running lengthwise down each side, from the vicinity of the gill covers to the base of the tail...
is well-developed and extends onto the caudal filament.
They generally live in coastal waters or on coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
s, where they feed on small fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates.
Cornetfish are of minor interest for fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, and can be found in local markets within their range.
Species
Family Fistulariidae- Genus Fistularia
- Bluespotted cornetfishBluespotted cornetfishThe bluespotted cornetfish, Fistularia commersonii, is a fish in the family Fistulariidae. It grows to a length of . The Bluespotted Cornetfish is a decidedly different looking fish. This very long and slender reef dweller is in the family Fistulariidae which is also the same order as the...
, Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838 - Pacific cornetfish, Fistularia corneta GilbertCharles Henry GilbertCharles Henry Gilbert was a pioneer ichthyologist and fishery biologist of particular significance to natural history of the western United States. He collected and studied fishes from Central America north to Alaska and described many new species...
& StarksEdwin Chapin StarksEdwin Chapin Starks was an ichthyologist most associated with Stanford University. He was known as an authority on the osteology of fish. He also did studies of fish of the Puget Sound. Additionally his wife and daughter were both involved in either science or natural history....
, 1904 - Red cornetfishRed cornetfishThe red cornetfish, Fistularia petimba, is a cornetfish of the family Fistulariidae, found in tropical oceans worldwide, at depths of between 10 and 200 m.In Japan they are called Akayagara The red cornetfish, Fistularia petimba, is a cornetfish of the family Fistulariidae, found in tropical oceans...
, Fistularia petimba LacépèdeLacepedeLacepede can refer to:* Bernard Germain Étienne de la Ville, Comte de Lacépède , French naturalist and politician.* Jean de La Ceppède , French poet.* Rue Lacépède, a street in Paris...
, 1803 - Cornet fish, Fistularia tabacaria Linnaeus, 1758
- Bluespotted cornetfish