Red cornetfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red cornetfish |
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The red cornetfish (Fistularia petimba) is a cool fish also known as the rough flutemouth. It's part of the cornetfish family, called Fistulariidae. You can find these fish in warm oceans all over the world.
They usually live between 10 m (33 ft) and 200 metres (660 ft) deep. Red cornetfish can grow quite long, up to 2 m (6.6 ft) (about 6.5 feet)! But most of the time, they are around 1 m (3.3 ft) (about 3 feet) long.
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Where Does the Red Cornetfish Live?
The red cornetfish lives in many warm parts of the world. You can find it in the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region. This includes places like Australia and Hawaii. Sometimes, it even shows up in the Mediterranean Sea.
These fish prefer subtropical areas, which are warm but not super hot all the time. In very warm tropical places, they often swim deeper. This is where the water is cooler, or where cold water comes up from below.
How the Red Cornetfish Lives
Red cornetfish usually live over soft ground, like sand or mud. They are most often found at depths of 18–57 m (59–187 ft).
Reproduction and Life Cycle
These fish lay eggs, which means they are an oviparous species. Their eggs are large and float freely in the ocean. When the eggs hatch, tiny baby fish called larvae come out. These larvae are only about 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28 in) long! As they grow, the young fish move into areas where rivers meet the sea, called estuaries.
Hunting for Food
The red cornetfish is a clever hunter. It likes to hunt during twilight, which is dawn or dusk. It's a stealthy predator, meaning it moves very quietly and carefully. It uses its long, thin body to hide itself.
When it spots a group of small fish, it slowly moves closer. Once it's near enough, it suddenly darts forward! It then sucks the prey right into its mouth.
Images for kids
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Red cornetfish, with other fish, for sale in Japan, 2023
