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Blue-spotted cornetfish facts for kids

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Blue-spotted cornetfish
Fistularia tabacaria.jpg
Painting by Francis de Laporte de Castelnau, 1856
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Synonyms
  • Fistularia neoeboracensis Mitchill, 1815
  • Flagellaria fistularis Gronow, 1854
  • Aulostomus margravii Castelnau, 1855
  • Fistularia ocellata Duméril, 1861

Fistularia tabacaria, the cornetfish, blue-spotted cornetfish, tobacco trumpetfish or unarmed trumpetfish, is a species of cornetfish found along the Atlantic coasts of the Americas and in the central Atlantic off West Africa and the Macaronesian Islands. This species is of minor importance in commercial fisheries.

Description

This species grows to 200 cm (79 in) in total length, though most only reach 120 cm (47 in). The cornetfish is easily mistaken for the needlefish; the defining characteristic that separates the two is the cornetfish's smaller mouth and jaws with an elongated face in comparison to the needlefish's elongated jaw and mouth. The cornetfish is greenish-brown dorsally with overall pale blue spots and lines.

Biology

Fistularia tabacaria is most frequently recorded in and over seagrass beds and coral reefs, although it also occurs over hard, rocky substrates. It is usually a solitary species that is very rarely seen in groups. It feeds mainly on small crustaceans and small fish.

It is an important component in the diet of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus).


See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pez corneta para niños

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