SYNODONTIDAE


Saurida tumbil, 14.9 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Saurida tumbil
(Bloch, 1795)
Greater Lizardfish

D 11-13; A 10-11; P1 13-16; P2 9; LL 59-65; PDS 16-19; V 56-61.

Body subcylindrical, elongate. Head and caudal peduncle somewhat depressed; mouth large; numerous small teeth exposed on side of jaws when mouth closed; palatine teeth arranged in two bands on each side of roof of mouth; palatine teeth on the outer bands in 3 or 4 rows ateriorly. Outermost ray of pelvic fin subequal to innermost ray. Pectoral fin short, its posterior tip not or only just reaching to insertion of pelvic fin. Color: body light brown dorsally, silvery white ventrally; pectoral fins and lower lobe of caudal fin dusky; adipose fin with a black marking. Size: maximum length about 25 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific from east coast of Africa, Red Sea to eastern Australia. Remarks: found in shallow coastal sandy or muddy bottoms. Feeds on fishes, crustaceans, and squids. Marketed fresh.