The trumpetfish was described and named by none other than the father of taxonomy, Carolus Linnaeus in 1766. This reef dweller is easily recognized by its long body, tubular snout, and a barbel on its chin, though it can be brown, green, or yellow with pales stripes, bar, and spots. Trumpetfish range from the southern Indian Ocean to the eastern Pacific, and into the Atlantic off western Africa. They use stealth and camouflage to prey on smaller fish, and a typical tactic is to attack from above after remaining motionless in the water to imitate a piece of coral, stick or weed. Once in position, a trumpetfish sucks uses powerful suction to capture its prey. They are prey to larger fish, but have little value to sport, artisanal, or commercial fishermen, though some are taken for the aquarium trade. Trumpetfish reach maximum lengths of six feet, but such giants are uncommon.