Present in the West Atlantic from Florida to southern Brazil as well as Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, the trumpetfish (Aulostamus maculatus) takes its name from the shape of its mouth in a trumpet tip. A coastal tropical species, the trumpetfish is a solitary, though sometimes going in pairs. It does not move much, standing near the bottom near rocky areas, reefs or wrecks.

     Fearful, he is difficult to approach and remains motionless in order to camouflage himself. Very often he stands upright in a vertical position, head down imitating the tall stems of gorgonians (Plexaurella for instance) and adopting at the same time a livery matched to the landscape because it can change color by mimicry passing from a brown reddish to a bright yellow studded with blue and gray spots. A slightly skilful swimmer but capable of lightning-fast acceleration, he flees if he thinks he's spotted or when he is approached too closely.