Synodus variegatus

Synodontidae
Variegated Lizardfish
  • Synodus variegatus, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
    Synodus variegatus, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
  • Synodus variegatus, Lord Howe Island, Australia, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
    Synodus variegatus, Lord Howe Island, Australia, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
  • Synodus variegatus, WA, Australia, Photo: Andrew Green
    Synodus variegatus, WA, Australia, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Synodus variegatus, Japan, Photo: Graham Edgar
    Synodus variegatus, Japan, Photo: Graham Edgar
  • Synodus variegatus, Lord Howe Island, Australia, Photo: Graham Edgar
    Synodus variegatus, Lord Howe Island, Australia, Photo: Graham Edgar
  • Synodus variegatus, Coral Sea, QLD, Photo: Andrew Green
    Synodus variegatus, Coral Sea, QLD, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Synodus variegatus, Jervis Bay, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
    Synodus variegatus, Jervis Bay, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Distribution
Temperate Australasia, Tropical Indo-Pacific
Description
Highly variable colour, it is distinguished from related species by the five dark bands across the back, and a line of rectangular red blotches along the sides with white blotches below.Has 2 dark dashes on snout, similar to S. binotatus (Twospot Lizardfish) but elongated rather than rounded.   
Information
  • Max Size: 40 cm
  • Sea Temperature Range: 17.4-31.1°C
  • Depth: 3-121m
  • Habitat: Coral Reef, Rocky Reef, Soft sediment
  • Habitat Generalisation Index: 18.7
    Also referred to as the SGI (Species generalisation index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here
Rarity
  • IUCN Threat Status: Not Evaluated
  • Occurrence: Common (31% of sites)
    Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
  • Abundance: Few (2 per transect)
    Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney
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