Cornetfish

The cornetfishes or flutemouths^[3] are a small family, the Fistulariidae, of extremely elongated fish in the order Syngnathiformes. The family consists of a single genus, Fistularia, with four species, found worldwide in tropical and subtropical marine environments.^[4]

Cornetfish Temporal range: 33–0 Ma Early Oligocene to Present[1] PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Fistularia commersonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Syngnathiformes
Suborder:	Syngnathoidei
Superfamily:	Aulostomoidea
Family:	Fistulariidae Blainville, 1818
Genus:	Fistularia Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Fistularia tabacaria Linnaeus, 1758
Species
See text.
Synonyms[2]
Cannorynchus Cantor, 1849 Flagellaria Gronow, 1854 Solenostomus Gill, 1861

Ranging up to 2 m (6.6 ft) in length, cornetfishes are as thin and elongated as many eels, but are distinguished by very long snouts, distinct dorsal and anal fins, and forked caudal fins whose center rays form a lengthy filament. The lateral line is well-developed and extends onto the caudal filament.^[5]

Cornetfish are found in tropical and temperate marine waters around the world, in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. They are often found in coastal waters over soft-bottomed areas like coral reefs, sand flats, and seagrass beds, where they feed on small fishes, crustaceans, and other invertebrates.^[5]

Cornetfish are of minor interest for fishing, and can be found in local markets within their range.^[6]

Species

Currently, four recognized species are placed in this genus:^[7]

• Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838 (blue-spotted or smooth cornetfish)
• Fistularia corneta C. H. Gilbert & Starks, 1904 (Pacific cornetfish)
• Fistularia petimba Lacépède, 1803 (red cornetfish)
• Fistularia tabacaria Linnaeus, 1758 (cornetfish or blue-spotted cornetfish)

Fossil skull of F. koenigi from the Oligocene of Switzerland

The following fossil species are also known:^[8][9]

• †Fistularia contermina Daniltshenko, 1960 - Oligocene of North Caucasus, Russia
• †Fistularia licatae Sauvage, 1880 - Miocene of Italy
• †Fistularia koenigi Agassiz, 1839 - Oligocene of Switzerland

The species F. longirostris was formerly placed in this genus, but is now placed in Parasynarcualis.^[9]