Where are trumpetfishes found?

They occur in tropical waters worldwide, with two species in the Atlantic and one in the Indo-Pacific, primarily on reefs and near the substrate.

How do trumpetfishes capture prey?

They hover close to the substrate to approach prey, then rapidly expand their tube-like jaws to create suction that draws small fishes into the mouth.

Are trumpetfishes kept in aquariums?

They have no commercial fishery value but are occasionally kept in the aquarium trade and there is captive-keeping information available.

How large do trumpetfishes get?

They can reach almost 1 meter in length.

Why are they called trumpetfish or flutemouth?

The genus name Aulostomus comes from Greek words meaning "flute" and "mouth," referring to their tube-shaped snouts; "flutemouth" is a less-common name.

What do trumpetfishes eat?

They are highly carnivorous and feed almost exclusively on small, schooling reef fishes.

How are trumpetfish bodies structured?

Their bodies are rigid and supported by interwoven struts of bone, making them relatively inflexible compared with many other fishes.

Do trumpetfishes have close relatives?

They are members of the order Syngnathiformes and are closely related to seahorses and cornetfishes.

Where to See Trumpetfish While Diving

Trumpetfishes (genus Aulostomus) are three specialized marine species with tubular snouts, rigid elongated bodies, and dorsal and anal fins set close to the tail. They occur in tropical waters worldwide (two Atlantic species, one Indo-Pacific) and are mostly demersal reef-dwellers, with one species favoring rocky substrate. Individuals can reach almost 1 m in length. Like other Syngnathiformes, their bodies are relatively inflexible, supported by interwoven bony struts. Their long, tube-shaped snouts end in jaws that can rapidly expand into a circular gape nearly the body's diameter to create strong suction when feeding. Trumpetfishes hover motionlessly a few inches above the substrate to stalk prey and feed almost exclusively on small, schooling reef fishes. They have no significant commercial fishery value but sometimes appear in the aquarium trade.

They stalk prey by hovering almost motionlessly a few inches above the substrate and then quickly darting forward to capture prey.

Highly carnivorous, feeding almost exclusively on small, schooling reef fishes using suction generated by rapid jaw expansion.

The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Tenerife, Cozumel, La Palma and countries such as Spain, Cabo Verde, Mexico for divers building trips around trumpetfish.