Clouded Saury, Saurida nebulosa Valenciennes, 1849

Scientific name: Saurida nebulosa
Alternative name/s:
Blotched Saury, Clouded Lizardfish, Nebulous Lizardfish
Clouded Saury, Saurida nebulosa Click to enlarge image
A Saury (probably a Clouded Saury) at a depth of 4 m, under Swansea Bridge, central coast, New South Wales, 28 February 2010. Image: Matt Dowse
© Matt Dowse

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Saurida
    Species
    nebulosa
    Family
    Synodontidae
    Order
    Aulopiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 17 cm in length.

Introduction

The Clouded Saury has many fine, sharp teeth. The body often several distinct dark blotches crossing the back.

Habitat

It usually inhabits coastal waters on sandy and muddy substrates.

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical waters of the Indo-west-central-Pacific region.

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

References

  1. 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.
  2. Russell, B.C., 1999. Synodontidae: lizardfishes (also bombay ducks, sauries). p. 1928-1945. In K.E. Carpenter and V.H. Niem (eds.) FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Vol. 3. Batoid fishes, chimaeras and bony fishes. Part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). FAO, Rome. pp. 1397-2068.