Depth
Fistularia · Bony Fish

Bluespotted Cornetfish

Fistularia commersonii

0-130m
Depth Range
170cm
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
0-130m
Depth Range
170cm
Max Size
Coastal reef
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Small groups
Social
LC
IUCN Status
High
Sighting Likelihood
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Genus Fistularia
Species commersonii

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationExtremely elongated, pipe-like body with a long tubular snout. Olive-green to brown back with bright blue spots and lines. A long filament extends from the centre of the forked tail.
  • SizeUp to 150 cm total length including the tail filament, commonly 80 to 120 cm.
  • Social HabitSolitary or in small groups. Stalks prey by drifting slowly alongside other fish to get within striking range.
  • HabitatCoastal reefs, seagrass beds, and shallow rocky areas. A Lessepsian migrant that entered the Mediterranean from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal.
  • Depth1 to 130 m, most common between 5 and 30 m.
  • Feeds OnSmall fish sucked in whole through its tubular snout with a rapid expansion of the mouth cavity.
  • DistributionOriginally Indo-Pacific. Now established across much of the Mediterranean following Lessepsian migration.
  • DescriptionOne of the most successful Lessepsian migrants in the Mediterranean, now common at many dive sites. This bizarre-looking fish uses stealth rather than speed, drifting alongside larger fish to approach prey undetected. Its ability to rapidly expand its snout creates powerful suction that inhales small fish whole.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found over rocky reefs, seagrass beds and sandy areas from the surface to around 130 metres. In the Mediterranean, it has expanded westward from the eastern basin and is now regularly encountered across Malta's dive sites.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

Loading…

Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Prefers warm, clear coastal waters above rocky reefs and mixed substrates. Often seen hovering or drifting slowly over reef tops, sometimes using other fish species as cover while stalking prey.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Bluespotted Cornetfish species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

A specialised suction predator that stalks small fish and shrimp, using its elongated snout to create a rapid vacuum that draws prey into its mouth from a distance.

Suction Stalker

Reproduction

Spawns in coastal waters during summer. Its rapid spread through the Mediterranean suggests high reproductive success and adaptability to new environments.

Invasive Spreader

Behaviour & Defence

Its extremely elongated, laterally compressed body is difficult for predators to target. When threatened, it can accelerate rapidly using its broad caudal fin.

Elongated Profile

Dive with diveshack

Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Fistularia commersonii may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red List Least Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide