Fistularia commersonii
Rüppell, 1838
Coronetfish, 160cm
Fistularia commersonii is common at Kwajalein and can be seen on a wide
range of lagoon and seaward reefs either singly or in small groups. They prey
upon small fish, which they slurp into their elongate tubular mouths. Often being
over a meter long and very narrow, it is hard to get the entire body into a photo
and see any detail. One of these that was caught and eaten at Enewetak Atoll apparently
caused a relatively mild case of ciguatera poisoning.
They can quickly change colors. The next two photos show the same fish seconds
apart.
This species is sometimes referred to as the blue-spotted coronetfish.
Often they are seen in small groups.
A small juvenile.
Created 1 February 2018
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