---
title: Cornetfishes (Fistulariidae)
scientific_name: Fistulariidae
common_name: Cornetfishes
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T20:52:20.448Z
tags: Cornetfishes, Fistulariidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/cornetfishes
---

# Cornetfishes (*Fistulariidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Fistulariidae
- **Body shape:** Elongate - Long and slender, but still fish-shaped - trumpetfishes, needlefishes, cornetfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 2

## How to recognise this group

- extremely elongated, cylindrical body
- long, tubular snout with a small terminal mouth
- dorsal and anal fins positioned far back on the body
- forked caudal fin with a single, extremely long central filament
- often hovers motionless or drifts slowly, sometimes head-down

Cornetfishes are extremely elongated, cylindrical fishes within the family Fistulariidae. A long, tubular snout terminates in a small terminal mouth. The dorsal and anal fins are positioned far back on the body, close to a forked caudal fin that features a single, extremely long central filament. Adults commonly reach 1 m (3.3 ft) in length, with maximum sizes up to 1.6 m (5.2 ft). Colouration varies, typically presenting a mottled grey, brown, or greenish pattern; these colours can change rapidly for camouflage.

Cornetfishes inhabit coral reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy bottoms, occurring from shallow waters down to 150 m (492 ft). They are solitary ambush predators, feeding primarily on small fishes and crustaceans. Individuals are often observed hovering motionless, head-down, or drifting slowly, sometimes concealed behind larger herbivorous fishes for cover. They capture prey by darting from cover with a rapid lunge, employing suction feeding.


## Species (2)

- [Red Cornetfish (Fistularia petimba)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/cornetfishes/red-cornetfish)
- [Smooth Cornetfish (Fistularia commersoni)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/cornetfishes/smooth-cornetfish)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/cornetfishes)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*