TUBESNOUT

either of the two species of fishes in the family Aulorhynchidae (order Gasterosteiformes). Taxonomically, they are sometimes placed in the stickleback family, Gasterosteidae. Tubesnouts derive their name from their extended snouts. Both species are marine and are restricted to northern coastal regions of the Pacific Ocean. The largest tubesnout, Aulorhynchus flavidus, is found, though rarely, along the North American coast and reaches a length of about 18 cm (7 inches). The other species, Aulichthys japonicus, occurs in the western Pacific.