Animal Species:Tailspot Lizardfish, Synodus jaculum Russell & Cressey, 1979

The Tailspot Lizardfish can be recognised by its colouration. It is found in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.

Tailspot Lizardfish at North Solitary Island

Tailspot Lizardfish at North Solitary Island
Ian Shaw © Ian Shaw

Alternative Name/s

Black-tailed Lizardfish, Javelinfish, Lighthouse Lizardfish, Tail-blotch Lizardfish

Identification

The Tailspot Lizardfish can be recognised by its colouration. The body has a complex pattern of stripes and bars. There is a large black blotch on the caudal peduncle.

Size range

The species grows to 20 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from off the north-western coast of Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef south to the central coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Synodus jaculum

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Tailspot Lizardfish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:
jaculum
Genus:
Synodus
Family:
Synodontidae
Order:
Aulopiformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.

 


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Tailspot Lizardfish, Synodus jaculum, Aulopiformes, Synodontidae, tropical water, marine, Black-tailed Lizardfish, Javelinfish, Lighthouse Lizardfish, Tail-blotch Lizardfish, stripes or bands, 10 cm - 30 cm, complex pattern,