Red lizardfish
| Red lizard fish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Aulopiformes |
| Family: | Synodontidae |
| Genus: | Synodus |
| Species: | S. ulae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Synodus ulae L. P. Schultz, 1953
| |
The red lizardfish (Synodus ulae), also known by its Hawaiian name ʻulae, is a species of lizardfish found in the Pacific Ocean.
Description
This species has unique traits that separate it from other lizardfish species such as high lateral line-scale and vertebral counts.[1] Red lizardfish also have long dermal flaps while other Synodontidae may have shorter flaps.[1] It gets the name red lizardfish due to the red hue of the bands across its body. Sizes across Synodus ulae populations, specifically their snout to dorsal length, is consistent across their species.[1] Another unique trait in comparison to other Synodontidae is that Synodus ulae have comparatively lower amounts of peritoneal spots, the average amount for a red lizardfish is 11-12 spots.[1]
Distribution
Red lizardfish occurrences have been confirmed throughout the entire Hawaiian Archipelago, both the main islands and the northwestern islands.[2] [3] Specimens were also collected from the Mariana Islands, and the Marshall Islands showing the western boundary of its range.[4] Confirmed occurrences near Yaku-shima Island in the south of Japan are northernmost documented sighting of this species.[5]
Habitat
Red lizardfish, like other lizardfish species are demersal (bottom dwelling).[2] They prefer to inhabit shallow, sandy environments near reefs, with 50 m (160 ft) or less being their preferred depth.[1][2] This allows them to use sand, coral, rocks, and other debris for camouflage.
Hunting
Red lizardfish bury their body under sand with only their head remaining exposed, a common ambush posture for lizardfishes.[2]
References
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Synodus ulae". FishBase. April 2012 version.
- ^ a b c d e "Revision of Indo-West Pacific Lizardfishes of the Genus Synodus (Pisces: Synodontidae)". Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology Number 342.
- ^ a b c d "A Revision of the Hawaiian Lizardfishes of the Genus Synodus, with Descriptions of Four New Species". University of Hawaii Press.
- ^ "Field Museum" (PDF).
- ^ "Fishes of the Marshall and Marianas Islands". Smithsonian Institution United States National Museum Bulletin 202.
- ^ Motomura and Matsuura, Hiroyuki and Keiichi (2010). Fishes of Yaku-shima Island - A world Heritage island in the Ovum Group, Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan (PDF). National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo. ISBN 978-4-87803-031-4.