Blue-spotted Cornetfish

Fistularia commersonii

Also known as: Arrowshaft, Commerson's Cornetfish, Coronet, Cornetfish Smooth Flutemouth, Flutefish, Flutemouth, Red Cornetfish, Reef Cornetfish, Smooth Cornetfish, Smooth Flutemouth

ALSO KNOWN AS

Arrowshaft
Commerson's Cornetfish
Coronet
Cornetfish Smooth Flutemouth
Flutefish
Flutemouth
Red Cornetfish
Reef Cornetfish
Smooth Cornetfish
Smooth Flutemouth

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2016

Add a photo

Blue-spotted Cornetfish adult, photographed at Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives — @fishx6 · Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives · February 20071 / 65

Overview

Found singly or in schools, over rock and sandy bottoms, often over the surface of the water, close to reefs.
They feed by stalking their victims, on crustaceans, small fish, and squid.

Cornetfish swim near the bottom above sand or rubble areas and near reefs during the day, can often be seen in small groups at night in shallow protected areas.

How to identify

COLOURS

Pattern: spots stripes
Behaviour: schooling solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

Habitat & where to find it

Range · Indo-Pacific, Eastern Central Pacific, Mediterranean
Exact location · 6
Dive site · 2
Country only · 57

LIVES IN

Found singly or in schools, over rock and sandy bottoms, often over the surface of the water, close to reefs.

RANGE

Adult photos 65

Discussion 11

11 comments

Ann L· 26 Mar 2016
Saw a Smooth Flutemouth today in Merimbula Lake - Far South Coast NSW. It was about 18" long and dark gray/black. Water temp at the time was just over 22 degrees.
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Sonya· 26 Dec 2015
Saw some of these in Maui last week! My son was scared--probably because it looked like a needle!
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Richard· 12 Aug 2015
2015 Stegna, Rhodes, Greece. Change colors if disturbed or excited before attacking small fish.
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Tom· 15 Sept 2012
HI, Came across one at Afandou in Rhodes last week. br tom
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dave· 18 Apr 2012
saw two of these fish whilst snorkelling at blue lagoon akamas peninsular cyprus april 2012. Amazing sight both about a metre in length and in about 2 metres of water. One was black in colour whilst the other was light grey with cross hatching along its back.On approach the light coloured fish changed colour to very pale and continued to change colour as it slowly traversed the reef.Amazing!! The dark coloured fish remained dark but neither were concerned at my presence.
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quokka· 25 Feb 2011
I've just been swimming with one at a place named Fairy Bower near Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia. I didn't realise how rapidly they can change colour - wonderful to watch!
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sermen· 24 Nov 2010
I have seen very similar to this fish in the Meditereanean Coast around North Cyprus.With an extended filament or attachment to the tail ineffect forming a third part to the tail. Tubular long ( pipe like mouth) but fits in the description given above . Could it be that it belongs to this group. It was first time I have seen small groups of them.
Helpful· 1
scubasteve· 5 Mar 2008
These things always worry me, they look like giant living syringes!! I think they're harmless. Quite a few of them in the maldives!
Helpful· 1
fishx6Top Contributor· 15 Jan 2011
These are harmless!
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fishx6Top Contributor· 15 Jan 2011
This fish is not native to Cyprus but was introduced to the area maybe via the Suez canal! www.europe-aliens.org/pdf/Fistularia_commersonii.pdf So yes this is more than likely the ones you saw.
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fishx6Top Contributor· 13 Mar 2008
Hmmmmmmm not sure I had thought of them along those lines!
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