Synodus variegatus

Variegated lizardfish
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus, Lord Howe Island, Australia, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus, WA, Australia, Photo: Andrew Green
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus, Japan, Photo: Graham Edgar
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus, Lord Howe Island, Australia, Photo: Graham Edgar
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus, Coral Sea, QLD, Photo: Andrew Green
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus, Jervis Bay, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
1 / 7
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus
Synodus variegatus

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 Generalization Index: 18.65

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.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Common (26.7% 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