Common name: Trumpetfish
General information
The Trumpetfish, scientifically known as Aulostomus maculatus, is a distinctive species popular among aquarists for its unique body shape and behavior. It has a long, slender body with a tubular snout, which it uses to suck up prey. Their coloration can vary, often matching their surroundings to camouflage themselves from both predators and prey. They are known to 'shadow' larger fish to sneak up on their prey.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 300 liter (79 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 80 cm (2′7″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Needs ample swimming space
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live foods; can adapt to frozen
- Social
- Solo Can be territorial; best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May eat small fish and shrimp
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Territorial, especially with conspecifics
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPipefishesSyngnathiformes
- FamilyTrumpetfishesAulostomidae
- GenusTrumpetfishAulostomus
- SpeciesTrumpetfishAulostomus maculatus Valenciennes, 1841
- SynonymsAulostoma maculatum Valenciennes, 1841
Care
Trumpetfish require a large tank with plenty of open water for swimming as well as vertical structures for hiding. They are carnivorous and prefer live foods such as small fish and shrimp. Care should be taken when introducing them to a community tank as they can prey on smaller fish and invertebrates.
Reproduction
In the wild, Trumpetfish are known to engage in elaborate courtship displays. They are not commonly bred in captivity, and most specimens in the aquarium trade are wild-caught.
Habitat
Native to the Atlantic Ocean, Aulostomus maculatus is often found in coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. They are adept at vertical hanging among gorgonians or other structures and can be found at various depths, often from the surface to about 20 meters deep.