Trumpetfish

ID points

• Long tube-like body; the snout makes up half the head length
• Often hangs vertically head-down beside sea fans
• Slender tail base with a small rounded tail fin

Basics

Family

Aulostomidae

Length

40–80 cm

Depth

1-35 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Tropical coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific

Habitat

Coral reefs with sea fans

Diet

Small fish, shrimp

Easily confused with

CornetfishBody long and thin like a tube, the snout making up a third of itBeltfishBody thin and long like a silver ribbon, with no tail finNeedlefishUpper and lower jaws equally drawn out into a slender pointed beak

Fun fact

The trumpetfish is the shadow hunter of the reef. It slides along the flank of a larger fish, using it as cover to creep up on prey, then sucks the victim in with its long tubular snout. It can also shift its colour to match the surroundings and all but vanish into the background.