Genus: Aulostomus, Trumpetfish, Trumpetfishes

AULOSTOMUS

TRUMPETFISHES

Body very elongate, somewhat compressed; head strongly compressed; snout very long, tubular; barbel on chin; no teeth on top jaw, tiny teeth on lower jaw; 1st dorsal fin with VIII-XIII small, isolated spines; 2nd dorsal and anal fins with 21-25 rays; pelvic fins well behind pectorals, short but reach anus; soft dorsal and anal opposite at rear of body, fins similar in shape and relatively high; narrow tail base; tail fin rounded; scales small, rough.

A circumtropical genus with 3 species; with an endemic species in our region.