Two Spot Lizard Fish

Cheek behind mouth scaled; palatine teeth in a single band on each side (characteristic of the genus); membranous flap on anterior nostrils long and broad; dorsal tip of snout with a pair of small but prominent black spots (Ref. 2334).Description: Characterized by whitish to pale brown color; with 6-7 irregular dark red to dark brown bars on body, lower side with series of large dark spots alternating with smaller spots; long and spatulate flap on anterior nostril; pectoral fins reaching beyond line connecting origins of dorsal and pelvic fins (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 8 - 10

Inhabits coral reefs (Ref. 58534).

Occurs in coral reefs (Ref. 11228). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Generally solitary and typically rests on hard surfaces, occasionally with a head down position on a steep slope (Ref. 1602). Feeds on small fishes and shrimps (Ref. 89972). Sold fresh in markets.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

Synodus binotatus Schultz, 1953

Synodus binotatus Schultz, 1953:35 [Marshall Islands].

MATERIAL EXAMINED (122 specimens).—Holotype: USNM 140801, MARSHALL ISLANDS. Paratypes (32): USNM 140802–6 (11), 140808–0 (5), 140811–3 (17); MARSHALL AND JOHNSTON ISLANDS. ADEN (1): USNM 217595. COMORES (9): USNM 217663–4 (3), 217734 (6). SOUTH AFRICA (1): RUSI 76–9. ALDABRA (4): USNM 217597 (1), 217604 (1), 217773 (2). SEYCHELLES (25): CAS 39887 (1); ANSP 111131 (7), 111144 (4), 111223 (1), 111226 (1), 111230 (2), 111232 (5), 112145 (1), 112169 (3). AMIRANTE ISLAND (3): USNM 217598 (1), 217601 (2). MALDIVES (7): FMNH 75387-90. CHAGOS ISLAND (5): USNM 217596 (3), 217600 (2). SRI-LANKA (1): USNM 217599. COCOS-KEELING (1): ANSP (uncataloged). PRATAS REEF (1): CAS 39966. TAIWAN (1): USNM 217602. AUSTRALIA (3): AMS 19223001. SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (1): CAS 39969. CAROLINE ISLAND (1): CAS 39959. PALAU (6): BPBM 7212 (2), 9363 (4). MARSHALL ISLANDS (1): USNM 166515. AMERICAN SAMOA (1): BPBM 17557. TONGA ISLANDS (5): USNM 217662. SOCIETY ISLANDS (2): BPBM 6921. GAMBIER ISLAND (2): BPBM 13552. JOHNSTON ISLAND (6): BPBM 8947 (5), 8976 (1). HAWAIIAN ISLANDS (3): USNM 217603 (1); CAS 39951 (1); BPBM 6463 (1).

DIAGNOSIS AND COMPARISONS.—A species of Synodus with the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays (branched and unbranched) 12-14 (usually 13); anal-fin rays 8-10 (usually 9); pored lateral-line scales 52-55 (usually 54); transverse scale rows 3.5/5; vertebrae 51-55 (usually 53); combined dorsal and anal procurrent rays 27-33; anterior palatine teeth longest and in a discrete group; peritoneal spots 0-3; posterior pelvic process wide.

Synodus binotatus can be separated from all known Indo-VVest Pacific Synodus except S. usitatus, new species, S. oculeus, new species, and S. macrocephalus, new species, by the relatively long pectoral fin, which extends well beyond a line from the base of the pelvic fin to the base of the dorsal fin. Synodus usitatus has higher lateral-line scale and vertebral counts (58 avg.). Synodus oculeus and S. macrocephalus have a narrow posterior pelvic process.

DESCRIPTION.—Dorsal-fin rays 12-14; anal-fin rays 8-10; pectoral-fin rays 12; pelvic-fin rays 8; procurrent rays 27-33, dorsal 15-18, anal 12-15; lateral line continuous, 52-56 pored scales; scale rows above lateral line from dorsal origin 3.5; scale rows below lateral line to anal origin 5; predorsal scales 14-15; rows of cheek scales 5-6; vertebrae 51-55; peritoneal spots 0-3.

Percentages of Standard Length: Mean (range): head length 29.5(27.2-31.7); snout length 6.2(5.0-7.3); upper jaw length 19.6(17.7-22.1); diameter of bony orbit 5.7(4.6-6.6); least width of bony interorbital 2.7(1.9-3.5); snout to dorsal origin 43.6(40.6-46.5); snout to adipose origin 85.6(83.2-88.3); snout to anal origin 77.4(75.3-79.9); snout to pelvic insertion 37.4(34.5-40.0); snout to pectoral insertion 28.5(25.2-30.6); first-dorsal-ray length 10.2(7.9-12.4); longest-dorsal-ray length 13.7(11.5-16.9); pectoral-fin length 14.5(12.6-16.9); pelvic-fin length 27.6(25.1-30.2); dorsal-fin base 17.4(14.5–19.0); anal-fin base 9.8(8.1-11.1); based on 20 specimens 56.1 to 125.7 mm SL.

Body fusiform, head somewhat depressed, caudal region a little compressed. Large cycloid scales on body, cheeks, and operculum, postoral portion of cheeks scaly. Snout sharply pointed, broader than long; anterior nostril on each side bearing a prominent spatulate dermal flap reaching well beyond anterior margin of nares when depressed anteriorly. Interorbital space concave, occipital region bony. Palatine teeth in an elongate V-shaped pad, teeth pointing backwardly, those in front largest and in a discrete group. Lingual teeth well developed, those on free end of tongue largest and about 40 in number. Teeth caniniform, larger teeth with arrow-shaped tips. Pectoral fins reaching beyond a line from base of pelvic fins to origin of dorsal fin. Outer pelvic ray unbranched and short, fifth branched ray (sixth ray) longest. Posterior bony process of pelvic girdle broad. Peritoneum pale.

COLOR PATTERN.—Light brown and dark brown pigmented areas on light tan background in preserved material. A series of 4 dark brown dorsal saddle-like bands with 3 lighter brown bands between. First dark band at origin of dorsal fin. These bands similar to those of S. variegatus and englemani but usually lighter. All fins barred. Adipose fin with prominent basal pigment area and a spot or stripe distally. Snout with 2 conspicuous terminal spots.

DISTRIBUTION, HABITAT, AND GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION.—Synodus binotatus is a common shallow-water inhabitant throughout the Indo-West Pacific and is generally confined within the 28°C isothere (Hutchins and Scharff, 1947). Of the 21 collections with depth data, none were from waters deeper than 20 m, most being from 10 m or less (16 of 21).

This species is often collected with S. variegatus and S. englemani.

As in S. variegatus an analysis of geographic variation in vertebral counts shows lower average counts in populations bordering Southeast Asia and Australia with higher average counts in more peripheral populations (see map of S. binotatus distribution, Figure 39). Although the range of vertebral counts is 51–55, there is never a range of more than three in any given population.

Synodus capricornis Cressey and Randall, 1978

Synodus capricornis Cressey and Randall, 1978:767 [Easter Island].

MATERIAL EXAMINED (6 specimens).—Holotype: BPBM 6560, EASTER ISLAND. Paratypes: BPBM 6562 (1), USNM 218461 (1), EASTER ISLAND; BPBM 16860 (2), USNM 218462(1), PITCAIRN ISLAND.

DIAGNOSIS AND COMPARISONS.—A species of Synodus with the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays (branched and unbranched) 12–14 (usually 13); anal-fin rays 8–10 (usually 9); pored lateral-line scales 65–66 (usually 65); transverse scale rows 5.5/7; vertebrae 64–65 (usually 65); combined dorsal and anal procurrent rays 32–33; anterior palatine teeth longest and in a discrete group; peritoneal spots 10–12; posterior pelvic process wide.

Synodus capricornis can be separated from all other Indo-West Pacific Synodus except S. ulae by its high lateral-line scale and vertebral count (65–66). It can be separated from S. ulae by the large spatulate dermal flap on the anterior nares of S. ulae (short and triangular in S. capricornis).

DESCRIPTION.—Dorsal-fin rays 12–14; anal-fin rays 8–10; pectoral-fin rays 14; pelvic-fin rays 8; procurrent rays 32–33, dorsal 16–18, anal 15–16; lateral line continuous, 65–66 pored scales; scale rows above lateral line from dorsal origin 5.5; scale rows below lateral line to anal origin 7; predorsal scales 15; rows of cheek scales 5; vertebrae 65–66; peritoneal spots 10–12.

Percentages of Standard Length: Mean (range): head length 29.6 (27.8–31.9); snout length 6.5(5.8–7.0); upper jaw length 17.6(16.6–18.8); diameter of bony orbit 5.3(4.9–5.8); least width of bony interorbital 3.4(2.7–3.8); snout to dorsal origin 42.3(40.9–43.7); snout to adipose origin 86.3(84.9–87.4); snout to anal origin 82.4(81.4–83.2); snout to pelvic insertion 35.7(34.0–37.2); snout to pectoral insertion 28.3(25.6–30.5); first-dorsal-ray length 9.0(8.5–10.0); longest-dorsal-ray length 13.3(12.6–14.6); pectoral-fin length 10.8(9.7–11.6); pelvic-fin length 21.7(20.2–23.7); dorsal-fin base 16.2(15.0–16.8); anal-fin base 8.3(7.0–9.5); based on 6 specimens 74.2 to 185.4 mm SL.

Body fusiform, head somewhat depressed, caudal region a little compressed. Large cycloid scales on body, cheeks, and operculum, postoral portion of cheeks naked. Snout sharply pointed, broader than long; the anterior nostril on each side bearing a short triangular dermal flap as in S. englemani. Interorbital space concave, occipital region bony. Palatine teeth in an elongate V-shaped pad, teeth pointing backwardly, those in front largest and in a discrete group. Lingual teeth well developed, those on free end of tongue largest and about 40 in number. Teeth caniniform, larger teeth with arrow-shaped tips. Pectoral fins reaching a line from base of pelvic fins to origin of dorsal fin. Outer pelvic ray unbranched and short, the fifth branched ray (sixth ray) longest. Posterior bony process of pelvic girdle broad. Peritoneal color pale.

COLOR PATTERN.—Snout with 2 dark spots at tip; lateral saddle-like pigmented areas as in S. variegatus in preserved specimens.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT.—Known only from Easter and Pitcairn islands and occurs at moderate depths of 70 to 130 ft.

分布於印度-太平洋區，西起非洲東部，東至夏威夷，北至日本、小笠原群島，南至澳洲大堡礁等。臺灣分布於南部及西南部海域。

偶為底拖網或延繩釣捕獲，可食用。

體圓而瘦長，呈長圓柱形，尾柄兩側具稜脊。頭較短。吻圓，吻長明顯大於眼徑。前鼻孔瓣長且寬。眼中等大；脂性眼瞼發達。口裂大，上頜骨末端遠延伸至眼後方；頜骨具銳利之小齒；腭骨前方齒較後方齒長，明顯自成一叢。體被圓鱗，頭後背部、鰓蓋和頰部皆被鱗；側線鱗數52-54；側線上鱗數3.5(少數為4.5)。單一背鰭，具軟條12-14(通常為13)；有脂鰭；臀鰭與脂鰭相對，具軟條8-10(通常為9)；胸鰭長，末端延伸至腹鰭起點與背鰭起點之連線；尾鰭叉形，上葉等長於下葉。吻背上具一對小而顯著的黑點；各鰭皆具斑點，並連成橫向斑紋。

主要棲息於礁區海域。屬肉食性，經常停棲於礁區之硬質底質區，而利用身上的花紋做為偽裝，伺機捕食獵物，有時會將以頭朝下的姿態隱身於斜坡上，等候獵物游經時，躍起吞食。

The two-spot lizardfish (Synodus binotatus) is a species of lizardfish that lives mainly in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Found in shallow water, also near reefs. Generally solitary and and typically rests on hard surfaces, occasionally on a head down position on a steep slope (Ref. 1602). Sold fresh in markets.