Tags: Aulostomus chinensis | Chinese Trumpetfish | fish | Painted Flute Mouth

Aulostomus chinensis, also known as Chinese Trumpetfish or Painted Flute Mouth, mainly inhabits reef areas. The fish usually dodges its enemies by hiding among reefs, algae, or sea whips in an upside-down position. It is a “mimic” which rapidly changes its body colors to immerse into surroundings and hide itself. It feeds on small fish and shrimps and eats by sucking up its prey. Also it stays near bigger fish for protection. Widely distributed in the Indo-Pan-Pacific: west to Africa, east to Hawaii, north to Japan, and south to Australia and Lord Howe Island; also found near islands in the East Pacific. Found in all waters around Taiwan. A small-medium fish, suitable for academic research and as an ornamental fish; no edible value. (Photograph by: Cheng Ching-yi, Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica; Location: Lanyu)

Biodiversity Research Center