Reef lizardfish (species: Synodus variegatus) in Cook Islands (Gaia Guide)
Cook Islands > Animalia > Vertebrata > Actinopterygii > Aulopiformes > Synodus variegatus (gallery)
Synodus variegatus
Reef lizardfish


©Richard Ling: Reef lizardfish (Synodus variegatus)

©Jan Messersmith: Reef lizardfish (Synodus variegatus)

©Jan Messersmith: Reef lizardfish (Synodus variegatus)

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Aulopiformes
Family Synodontidae
Genus Synodus
Species Synodus variegatus

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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 (Total Length)

Depth range

  • From 3 m to 121 m - applies to Normally between 5m and 60m

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

It can be found in marine environments.

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.
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