ABSTRACT

Trumpetfish (Family Aulostomidae), snipefish (Family Centriscidae), and the cornetfishes (Family Fistulariidae) make up part of a diverse and bizarre assemblage of specialized fishes commonly known as the pipefishes and seahorses (Order Syngnathiformes). Ambush predators, all three syngnathiform families are characterized by having: 1) a small mouth at the tip of an elongate tubular snout; 2) tiny pelvic fins located near mid-body; 3) posterior, opposed soft dorsal and anal fins; and, 4) a body often covered by spinules or stiffened with rows of lateral bony scutes. The trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus) and snipefish (Macrorhamphosus scolopax) are monotypic in the western North Atlantic (Fritzche 1984, 2003b, 2003d), whereas the cornetfishes consist of one genus with two widely distributed species (Fritzche 1976, 2003c). Aulostomids and fistulariids have an extremely elongate body and snout, and are among the largest members of the syngnathiforms. In fact, aulostomids can reach 80 cm and fistulariids 200 cm (Orr & Pietsch 1998). Aulostomids are laterally compressed, have a series of short isolated dorsal spines, a small chin barbel, and frequently swim in a vertical position (Araga 1984). Fistulariids have a relatively depressed body, lack a spinous dorsal fin, and the middle two caudal fin rays are elongate and form a long tail filament lined with sensory pores that may be used to detect prey (Orr & Pietsch 1998). The trumpetfish and bluespotted cornetfish (Fistularia tabacaria) inhabit coastal waters near reefs or grass beds, whereas red cornetfish (F. petimba) inhabit deeper outer continental shelf waters. Centriscids, on the other hand, are relatively small (up to 25 cm), deep-bodied and ovoid in cross-section, have a series of distinct bony plates arranged in longitudinal rows along each side of the body, have a prominent, serrated second dorsal spine, and usually swim in an oblique, head-down position, but may swim horizontally when schooling (Araga 1984). Snipefish occupy outer continental shelf and slope water with sandy or muddy bottoms.