Bluespotted Cornetfish (Fistularia commersonii)

The Bluespotted Cornetfish or Fistularia commersonii is an elongated saltwater fish from the Fistulariidae family which include pipefishes and seahorses. This fish has an eel like appearance, but can be differentiated by its long snout, large eyes, distinct dorsal and anal fins, and a forked caudal fin whose center rays form a rather lengthy filament. This filament is lined with sensory pores, and is thought to serve as a long-range sensory system for detecting prey.

Bluespotted Cornetfish are found almost exclusively in and around reefs on the western coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and off the western coast of Africa. They feed on small fish and invertebrates, and can grow to 5-1/4' (1.6 meters). These fish go by several different names including Commerson's Cornetfish, Smooth Flutemouth, Flutefish, Smooth Cornetfish, Reef Cornetfish, Coronet and Arrowshaft.  You can check out the Bluespotted Cornetfish underwater in the video below.


If you have any additional information about the Bluespotted Cornetfish please leave us a comment below.



2 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 3, 2014 at 9:26 AM

    You don't mention the color. I saw two today while diving. At first they appeared very pale light green, almost white. As I approached them and swam over them, they changed color, dark green stripes to match the sea grass. Interesting fish ... And quite tasty too! :)

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 24, 2015 at 11:51 AM

    I saw one a few feet off the beach in Fort Lauderdale then the next day I found it dead on the beach and I took pics. From what I've read they aren't in the carribbean yet and though they can kill lionfish they are pretty distructive themselves to natural habitat. Is it true there aren't any in Florida or the Carribbean? It sounds like they're in Africa and the Pacific.

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