Morphometric and meristic characteristics of the first record Fistularia petimba (Lacepède, 1803) and Fistularia commersonii (Rüppell, 1838) (Piscès: Fistulariidae) from the Egyptian Mediterranean waters (West Alexandria)

In the present study, morphometric and meristic characteristics of the cornetfishes, Fistularia spp., from the Egyptian Mediterranean coast were described. The linear length-length relationships and the allometric growth pattern were also investigated. Specimens were sampled from October 2017 to March 2019, by trawling in the marine area along the west of Alexandria City. The data analysis showed that the red cornetfish, Fistularia petimba (Lacepède, 1803), which is one of the IUCN Red List, was observed in this zone for the first time. Fistularia petimba dorsal, anal, pectoral, ventral, and caudal fins formulas were defined as follows: D 15; A 15; P (I + 14); V (i + 5); and C 18. This fish species was characterized by, elongated bony plates that were present anteriorly and posteriorly to the dorsal fin with a number of 23 bony plates anterior to the dorsal fin with the absence of gill rakers. Arched lateral line and sharp spines were on the posterior ossifications. The body color was orange–brown on the upper side and white on the bottom with transparent fins and a touch of orange color on the tips. The bluespotted cornetfish, Fistularia commersonii (Rüppell, 1838) reached 107.5 cm in total length. Its fins formulas were as follows: D (13–17); A (12 – 18); P (I + 13) – (I + 15); V (i + 5); and C 18. The vertebrae count was between 84 and 88, including the urostyle that had the first 4 vertebrae fused and without bony plate or gill rakers. Arched lateral line and rows of blue spots or line appeared on the back. The body color varied from brownish to olive on the upper side and white on the bottom with transparent fins and a touch of rosy pink color on the tips. The linear regression equations for the different morphometric characters of F. commersonii were highly correlated (R² > 0.90). The allometric coefficients (b) of the various morphometric characters of F. commersonii were also studied. Further studies on the biological and fisheries parameters are recommended for F. commersonii as well as following the presence and establishment of F. petimba in the Egyptian waters.