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Clearfin Lizardfish
Synodus dermatogenys Fowler, 1912
A Clearfin Lizardfish at a depth of 22m, Ribbon Reef #10, Great Barrier Reef off Lizard Island, Queensland, June 2002. View larger image.
The Clearfin Lizardfish has an intricate pattern of stripes and bars on the body. There is a bluish-grey stripe along the side of the body at eye-level. The pelvic fin membrane has yellow streaks that are more obvious in males.
This species can be seen fully exposed or sometimes partially buried in the sand.
It grows to 23cm in length.
The Clearfin Lizardfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to northern New South Wales.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Further reading
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
