| Cornetfish Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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] | |
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]
Contents
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]
