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Bluespotted cornetfish (Fistularia commersonii) — Fistulariidae

Bluespotted cornetfish

Fistularia commersonii
Family: Fistulariidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluespotted cornetfish (Fistularia commersonii) is a saltwater fish of the family Fistulariidae that grows up to 160 cm.

Length
160 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–132.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The bluespotted cornetfish is a strikingly elongate reef fish of the cornetfish family (Fistulariidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 1.6 metres but is very thin, with a long, tubular snout and a thread-like extension of the tail fin. The body is greenish with rows of blue spots or lines. It inhabits a variety of reef habitats to at least 128 metres and also sand flats and seagrass. As a stalking predator it approaches prey slowly and then sucks up small fishes and shrimps at great speed with its tubular snout. The species has invaded the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluespotted cornetfish?

The Bluespotted cornetfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bluespotted cornetfish live?

The Bluespotted cornetfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bluespotted cornetfish get?

The Bluespotted cornetfish grows to a maximum of about 160 cm. On average the species is around 100 cm.

Is the Bluespotted cornetfish dangerous to humans?

The Bluespotted cornetfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Bluespotted cornetfish edible?

The Bluespotted cornetfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwstip-fluitvis sourced
English name
Bluespotted cornetfish verified
Scientific name
Fistularia commersonii
Family
Fistulariidae
Other names
Bluespotted cornetfish; Cornetfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
160.0 verified
Average length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
132.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Fistularia

More from the family Fistulariidae

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