SYNODONTIDAE


Saurida nebulosa, 9.7 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)



Saurida nebulosa, 9.2 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Saurida nebulosa
Valenciennes, 1850
Nebulous Lizardfish

D 10-11; A 9-10; P1 11-13 (usually 12); P2 9; LL 50-52.

Body subcylindrical, moderately elongate. Head somewhat depressed but tail compressed; mouth large; numerous small teeth exposed on side of jaws when mouth closed; palatine teeth arranged in two patches on each side of roof of mouth. Pectoral fin short, its posterior tip not or just reaching to posterior end of pelvic-fin base. Color: mottled light brown and white dorsally, whitish ventrally; several vertical dark bands or blotches on side; vertical fins with dark dotted bands; adipose fin dark colored except transparent margin. Size: maximum length about 22 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo- Pacific, from Mauritius to Hawaii. Remarks: usually found in inshore waters, mangroves, and seagrass beds.