TRUMPETFISHES - AULOSTOMIDAE
General:
Usually occuring on reefs alongside larger herbivorous fish or in a head-down vertical orientation, as ambush hunter of small fishes and crustaceans.
Oviparous, gonochorous, with pelagic eggs.
Recorded maximum length 80 cm
Lower jaw with fleshy barbel at the tip. A series of 8-12 isolated dorsal spines preceeding a soft dorsal fin having 23-28 rays. Anal fin with 25-28 fin rays. Anus and pelvics far apart. Rounded caudal fin. Well developed lateral line. Abdominal vertebrae with 2 equal lateral extensions. Body musculature supported by bony struts that appear interwoven. Total vertebrae 59-64: abdominal 24-26 and caudal 35-38.
Usually occuring on reefs alongside larger herbivorous fish or in a head-down vertical orientation, as ambush hunter of small fishes and crustaceans.
Oviparous, gonochorous, with pelagic eggs.
Recorded maximum length 80 cm
Lower jaw with fleshy barbel at the tip. A series of 8-12 isolated dorsal spines preceeding a soft dorsal fin having 23-28 rays. Anal fin with 25-28 fin rays. Anus and pelvics far apart. Rounded caudal fin. Well developed lateral line. Abdominal vertebrae with 2 equal lateral extensions. Body musculature supported by bony struts that appear interwoven. Total vertebrae 59-64: abdominal 24-26 and caudal 35-38.
Etymology
Greek, aulos = flute + Greek, stoma = mouth
Greek, aulos = flute + Greek, stoma = mouth
