Cornetfish

Fistularia tabacaria

Also known as: Flutemouth, Tobacco Pipefish, Tobbaco Trumpetfish, Trumpetfish, Unarmed Trumpetfish

ALSO KNOWN AS

Flutemouth
Tobacco Pipefish
Tobbaco Trumpetfish
Trumpetfish
Unarmed Trumpetfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2026

Add a photo

What type of fish is this? — Cornetfish adult, photographed at Stuart, FL, United States — @dancinon · Stuart, FL, United States · April 20121 / 6

Overview

Found singly, over hard rocky bottoms and seagrass flats of coastal reefs.
They feed on crustaceans, small fish and invertebrates by stalking their victims!

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, these fish are often found hovering close to another fish for protection and for hunting..
They change their colouring to match their surroundings.

How to identify

COLOURS

Pattern: spots
Body shape: long
Behaviour: camouflaged changes colour hovering solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

Habitat & where to find it

Range · Western Atlantic, Eastern Atlantic
Country only · 6

LIVES IN

Found singly, over hard rocky bottoms and seagrass flats of coastal reefs.

RANGE

Adult photos 6

Discussion 10

10 comments

Suzanne Brousseau· 19 Sept 2015
Was at the beach in New Bedford, MA on 9-17-2015 and a bunch of students from U MA came down to the beach to catch specimens with a seine net. One of the students showed us what he had in the bucket and was a blue spotted cornfish. It was fascinating to us as none of us had ever seen one or heard of it. Learn something new everyday.
Helpful· 1
Nigel· 28 Jan 2015
Saw one today 27/1/15 at lake worth florida while snorkling
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Louise Gallagher· 23 Jan 2015
I've seen these several times when snorkelling in tonga - in large schools.
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Simon Lumley· 17 Aug 2014
Just snorkeled with one of these at serrena bay in Cyprus. It was about 4 foot long
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Margie· 2 May 2014
Saw one of theses in puerto Rico next to Condado Plazza
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christopher· 5 Aug 2013
Cyprus is full of these. We call them ''trombetes'' or "pithkiavli" which mean flute (the musical instrumen) due to their appearance.
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ADM· 16 Feb 2013
Just saw one on the shore of Hallandale Beach, FL. It changed from light to dark while we were watching it.
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Colby· 3 Dec 2012
Just had one wash up on the shore of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
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Kevin· 5 Sept 2012
I've see lots of these cornetfish when I was snorkeling in Cyprus. Took me some time to identify them because the locals and the sub aqua centres did not seem to have seem/noticed them. They are not listed as a Mediterraen fish but they are definately their. They sort of pulsate different colours to match the seabed a bit octopus like.
Helpful· 1
fishx6Top Contributor· 24 Mar 2017
As far as I know these fish are harmless and do not have any barbs on their tails!
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