Tube-snout

Aulorhynchus flavidus

Aulorhynchus flavidus is a species from the partial order of the stickleback -like ( Gasterosteales ). It comes in the northeastern Pacific from the coast of Alaska to northern Baja California before.

Features

Aulorhynchus flavidus is 18 cm long and is of random ling similar shape but very elongated, similar to the Stickleback. The fish has 24 to 27 short dorsal fin spines, which are not connected by fins membrane followed by a triangular, soft-rayed dorsal fin with nine to ten soft rays. The anal fin is symmetrical to the soft-rayed dorsal fin. The pectoral fins close straight off. The pelvic fins are supported by a hard and four soft rays. The caudal fin is small, forked, with 13 fin rays.

The fish are bright, blotchy brown in color, on the back varying from olive green to yellow-brown and creamy white on the belly. A bright, silvery spot located between gill covers and pectoral fins and extending to the throat. A dark band on the spot stretches through the eye to the tip of the snout. In brood-caring males are bright red around the snout.

Way of life

Aulorhynchus flavidus occurs in algae -covered coastal waters in kelp beds, rocky areas and sandy areas at depths of 0 to 30 meters. The fish normally live in shoals near the surface, sometimes in dense swarms away from the coast. They feed on fish larvae and small crustaceans. Males form the spawning season areas around the giant kelp ( Macrocystis pyrifera ). The female lays the eggs to the shoot and turn parts of the Tangs down, so that the eggs are covered.