| Variegated lizardfish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Aulopiformes |
| Family: | Synodontidae |
| Genus: | Synodus |
| Species: | S. variegatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Synodus variegatus (Lacepède, 1803) |
|
The variegated lizardfish, Synodus variegatus, is a lizardfish of the family Synodontidae, found in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, at depths from 4 m to 90 m. It can reach a maximum length of 40 cm.
The variegated lizardfish is rounded in cross-section with a broad moderately flattened head containing a large wide mouth. The jaws protrude equally. Both jaws and all the mouth bones are covered with conical barbed teeth. The strong thick pelvic fins serve as props when the fish is resting on the bottom waiting for prey.
Variegated lizardfish vary in color from grey to red hourglass shaped markings.