9 photos 3 species
Introduction
There are 3 known species.
Long thin body and a trumpet-shaped mouth.
They are masters of colour change.
Most common colouring brown to reddish-brown,
sometimes also yellow, blue-grey, and shades in between.
Likes to swim with its head down.
It is a cunning hunter that preys on small fish,
often attaching itself to perch and mullet to sneak up on prey.
Depending on the species, they can reach a size of 75 cm to 1 m.
Aulostomus chinensis
Chinese trumpetfish
Maximum length: 80 cm
Depth: 0 - 122 m
It comprises 3 known species.
Their strikingly slender yet elongated body makes them almost unmistakable
and easy to identify.
They come in a variety of colours and are very well adapted to their surroundings,
except for this one, which is bright yellow.
Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Aulostomus strigosus
Atlantic trumpetfish or Atlantic coronetfish
Maximum length: 90 cm
Depth: 5 - 25
Master of colour change, most common colouring brown to reddish-brown, sometimes also blue-grey, yellow or many shades in between.
Often swims in a vertical position, head downwards and parallel to the branches of gorgonians.
Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Photo 2 Johnny: Embudu Maldives
Aulostomus maculatus
West Atlantic trumpetfish
Maximum length: 90 cm
Depth: 5 - 25 metres
Tropet-shaped mouth and a long, thin body.
It is a master of changing colours and inhabits coral reefs.
Very often found in a vertical position, head down.
Sometimes it tries to camouflage itself by "riding" another fish (see photo 2)
to get closer to its prey.
Not shy, trusting in its camouflage,
it remains calm and only swims away when it realises that it has been discovered.
Photos 1 - 3 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean