4 photos - 3 species
Introduction
There are 4 species.
Their caudal fins have a long thread-like projection.
The mouth and snout are shaped like a flute.
Greenish-brown to brownish-grey body,
with delicate blue markings that can only be seen at close range.
They often occur in small shoals and hunt small schooling fish.
Depending on the species, they can reach a size of 1.06 to 2 m.
Fistularia commersonii
Bluespotted cornetfish, Smooth cornetfish or Smooth flutemouth
Maximum length: 1.60 m
Depth: 1 - 30 metres
Similar to the trumpet fish, they have a long,
slender body that can grow up to 1.7 metres long.
The body has a thickening at the level of the large eyes.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Photo 2 Johnny: El Qesir Egypt
Fistularia petimba
Red cornetfish or Rough flutemouth
Maximum length: 2 m
Depth: 1 - 30 m
The colouring ranges from light grey to soft shades of blue or green.
For camouflage, the animals can also adopt light spot patterns.
Photo 1 Johnny: Moalboal Philippines
Fistularia tabacaria
Cornetfish, Blue-spotted cornetfish, Tobacco trumpetfish or
Unarmed trumpetfish
Maximum length: 2 m
Depth 1 - 30 m
Flutefish are found on reef terraces near the coast and in lagoons, where they are usually found individually, occasionally also in small groups.
Photo 1 Johnny: Embudu Maldives