Aulostomidae
Encyclopedia
The family Aulostomidae is a monogeneric family of highly specialized, tubularly-elongated marine fishes commonly known as trumpetfishes. Aulostomids belong to the order Syngnathiformes
, along with the seahorses
and the similarly built cornetfishes. There are three distinct species for the family's sole genus, Aulostomus.
The name Aulostomidae is a composite of two Greek words: "aulos", meaning flute and "stoma", meaning mouth. This is named due to the unusual appearance of having tubular snouts that species in the family have. "Flutemouth" is another less-common name for the members of the family (although this word is more often used referring to closely related cornetfishes of the family Fistulariidae).
Trumpetfishes are found in tropical waters worldwide, with two species in the Atlantic and one in the Indo-Pacific. They are mostly demersal reef-dwellers, where one species seems to prefer rocky substrata
.
They are relatively large for reef fish, where they reach almost up to 1 m in length. Bodies of trumpetfish are elongated and rigid, and pike shaped. Dorsal and anal fins are almost 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. Distinct traits of the family is their long, tubular snout ending with somewhat nondescript 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 highly carnivorous
fish. They stalk their prey by hovering almost motionlessly a few inches above the substrate, inching their way towards unsuspecting prey. Once close enough, they rapidly 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.
While they have no commercial fisheries value, members of the family have been known to occasionally be found in the aquarium trade. Not popular aquarium fish, they are common enough with websites having instructions in keeping them in captivity.
Family Aulostomidae
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...
, along with the seahorses
Syngnathidae
Syngnathidae is a family of fish which includes the seahorses, the pipefishes, and the weedy and leafy sea dragons. The name is derived from Greek, meaning "fused jaw" - syn meaning fused or together, and gnathus meaning jaws. This fused jaw trait is something the entire family has in common...
and the similarly built cornetfishes. There are three distinct species for the family's sole genus, Aulostomus.
The name Aulostomidae is a composite of two Greek words: "aulos", meaning flute and "stoma", meaning mouth. This is named due to the unusual appearance of having tubular snouts that species in the family have. "Flutemouth" is another less-common name for the members of the family (although this word is more often used referring to closely related cornetfishes of the family Fistulariidae).
Trumpetfishes are found in tropical waters worldwide, with two species in the Atlantic and one in the Indo-Pacific. They are mostly demersal reef-dwellers, where one species seems to prefer rocky substrata
Substrata
Substrata may refer to:*Substrata , plural of substratum, a language influenced by another*Substrata , another term for subsoil*Substrata , an ambient music album by Biosphere-See also:*Substratum...
.
They are relatively large for reef fish, where they reach almost up to 1 m in length. Bodies of trumpetfish are elongated and rigid, and pike shaped. Dorsal and anal fins are almost closely adjacent to the tail, where individual dorsal spines reach midway towards the head region. Similar to most members of the order Syngnathiformes
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 bodies of trumpetfish are inflexible, supported by interwoven struts of bone. Distinct traits of the family is their long, tubular snout ending with somewhat nondescript 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 highly carnivorous
Carnivore
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging...
fish. They stalk their prey by hovering almost motionlessly a few inches above the substrate, inching their way towards unsuspecting prey. Once close enough, they rapidly 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.
While they have no commercial fisheries value, members of the family have been known to occasionally be found in the aquarium trade. Not popular aquarium fish, they are common enough with websites having instructions in keeping them in captivity.
Species
There are currently 3 species in this monogeneric family.Family Aulostomidae
- Genus Aulostomus
- Chinese TrumpetfishAulostomus chinensisThe Chinese Trumpetfish is a species of reef-dwelling fish in the family Aulostomidae. They occur on protected reefs from the eastern coast of Africa, through the Indian Ocean, Australasia, and the Pacific Ocean from Japan and China to the coast of the Americas. They feed on small fishes and...
, Aulostomus chinensis Linnaeus, 1766. - TrumpetfishTrumpetfishTrumpetfish, Aulostomus maculatus, are long bodied fish with upturned mouths, that often swim vertically while trying to blend with vertical coral, like sea rods, sea pens, and pipe sponges.-Habitat:...
, Aulostomus maculatus ValenciennesAchille ValenciennesAchille Valenciennes was a French zoologist.Valenciennes was born in Paris, and studied under Georges Cuvier. Valenciennes' study of parasitic worms in humans made an important contribution to the study of parasitology...
, 1837. - Atlantic Cornetfish, Aulostomus strigosus Wheeler, 1955.
- Chinese Trumpetfish