Synodus variegatus
Reef Lizardfish
©Andy Lewis: Reef Lizardfish, Lizard Island.
©Anne Hoggett: Synodus binotatus at Big Vicki's Reef, Lizard Island. Same specimen as above showing two spots (or short streaks) on snout.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Aulopiformes
Family
Synodontidae
Genus
Synodus
Species
Synodus variegatus
Colours
Distinguishing features
Colour variable and blotchy, grey/brown/reddish, with five or six indistinct saddles on back. A darker broken stripe on mid body has a paler broken stripe immediately below. Snout broader than some other Synodus and with two elongate marks at tip. Often found lying still with head raised on hard substrate.
Size
- Up to 40 cm (Length of specimen)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Local abundance
- Lizard Island: Abundant
Web resources
References
References that assist with identification
- Allen, G., R. Steene, P. Humann and N. Deloach (2003). Reef fish identification: Tropical Pacific New World Publications Inc., Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Other references
- Caley, M.J. (1991). Mechanisms of coexistence in communities of coral-reef fishes, Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney. LIRS catalog number 307.
- Caley, M.J. (1995). Reef fish community structure and dynamics: in interaction between local and larger-scale processes? Marine Ecology Progress Series, 129: 19-29. LIRS catalog number 448.
- View all references