Clouded Saury, Saurida nebulosa Valenciennes, 1849
Scientific name: Saurida nebulosa
Alternative name/s:
Blotched Saury, Clouded Lizardfish, Nebulous Lizardfish
Blotched Saury, Clouded Lizardfish, Nebulous Lizardfish
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
© 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.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
References
- 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.
- 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.
