Trumpetfish
Aulostomus chinensis
The Chinese trumpetfish (Aulostomus chinensis) is a bottom-associated marine fish in the family Aulostomidae.
Family
Aulostomidae
Avg Size
60-80 cm
Habitat
This species occurs in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, but not in the Red Sea. It lives in clear, calm water over rocky and coral reefs from the surface down to about 120 m, and is also seen around Bonaire.
Behaviour
The Chinese trumpetfish is active by day and tends to be solitary. It is a resourceful stealth hunter with two strategies for catching prey: it may ambush, lying in wait beside hard coral, black coral or a gorgonian, or it may shadow larger animals such as groupers, jacks or even hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), staying close until it can slip up on unsuspecting prey. Its diet consists of small fishes and crustaceans.
