Chinese trumpetfish Aulostomus chinensis

Habitat and ecology

Aulostomus chinensis can be found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans but not in the Red Sea. This species of trumpetfish is commonly found in the reefs of Mauritius and Bel Ombre. It prefers clear inshore and offshore coral and rocky reefs and reef slopes. Large adults can be found at depths of up to 200 meters, with both juveniles and adults found from shallow waters to the continental slope. Chinese trumpetfish are solitary, slow moving fishes, who use ambush and discrete tracking as a means to catch their prey. They may lie still horizontally or vertically behind corals or gorgonians until their prey comes close enough for them to catch it, or swim close to larger herbivorous fishes before ambushing their prey. Using their tubular snouts which they have the ability to extend, they feed on small fishes and crustaceans. Trumpetfishes are oviparous and spawning occurs in pelagic waters. When the fish larvae turn into juveniles they move to the epipelagic zone. Many larger juveniles can be found inhabiting coastal seagrass beds and coral reefs.

Conservation status and threats

There are no known immediate threats to Aulostomus chinensis, and it is currently considered “Least Concern” by the IUCN. However, as with other reef species, this fish has suffered habitat loss and degradation as a result of direct human impacts on the reefs. Climate change also poses a significant threat to its habitat through coral bleaching and ocean acidification.