Animal Species:Banded Lizardfish, Synodus dermatogenys Fowler, 1912

The Banded Lizardfish is a slender, tropical marine fish that has an intricate pattern of stripes and bars on the body.

A Banded Lizardfish at Ribbon Reef #10

A Banded Lizardfish at Ribbon Reef #10
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Clearfin Lizardfish, Two-spot Lizardfish, Variegated Lizardfish

Identification

The Banded Lizardfish has an intricate pattern of stripes and bars on the body. There is a bluish-grey stripe along the side of the body at eye-level. The pelvic fin membrane has yellow streaks that are more obvious in males.

Size range

The species grows to 23 cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to northern New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Banded Lizardfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Individuals are often seen fully exposed or sometimes partially buried in sand.

Classification

Species:
dermatogenys
Genus:
Synodus
Family:
Synodontidae
Order:
Aulopiformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  2. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Banded Lizardfish, Synodus dermatogenys, Synodontidae,