| Family: |
Aulostomidae (Trumpetfishes) |
| Max. size: |
100 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 25 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: southern Florida, USA and Bermuda to northern South America. East to St. Paul's Rocks (Ref. 13121). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-25; Anal soft rays: 21-25. Prominent barbel at tip of lower jaw. Dorsal fin preceded by 8-13 well-spaced, isolated spines (Ref. 26938) |
| Biology: |
Commonly found in weedy areas and especially around reefs, where they usually swim snout-down among sea whips (gorgonians). A solitary ambusher of small fishes and crustaceans that lurk among branching coral or gorgonians. Often swims behind large herbivorous fishes to sneak up on prey. Mouth opens to diameter of body to suck in prey (Ref. 9710). Marketed locally. Has been traded as an aquarium fish at Ceará, Brazil (Ref. 49392). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 31 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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