Synodus pacificus Ho, Chen & Shao, 2016
Omega lizardfish
photo by Ho et al.

Family:  Synodontidae (Lizardfishes), subfamily: Synodontinae
Max. size:  15.22 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 100 - 270 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Taiwan, the Philippines, and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal soft rays: 9-11; Vertebrae: 52-54. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: upside-down omega-shaped marks on the lateral body 4; brown saddles on the dorsal surface 4; presence of black patches on the nape and operculum; bars on the dorsal and caudal fins; orbital large (6.7-8.1% SL); interorbital space narrow (2.1-2.8% SL); snout short (6.3-7.2% SL); anterior palatine teeth are not longer than posterior teeth; pectoral fin extending slightly beyond a line from base of pelvic fin to origin of dorsal fin; peritoneal spots 7; peritoneal membrane pale; nasal flap flames-like, long and pointed; D 11-13 (usually 11); A 9-11 (10 or 11); pectoral-fin rays 11-14 (usually 12); total vertebrae 52-54; pored lateral-line scales 52-54; transverse scale rows above lateral line 3.5, below 4.5 or 5; gill rakers 31-37; teeth on free end of tongue 17-29 (Ref. 118657).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.