Saurida micropectoralis Shindo & Yamada, 1972
Shortfin lizardfish
Saurida micropectoralis
photo by Gloerfelt-Tarp, T.

Family:  Synodontidae (Lizardfishes), subfamily: Harpadontinae
Max. size:  38 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 20 - 260 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Andaman and South China seas south to the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819) and northern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Body elongate, cylindrical. Back and upper sides brown, lower sides and belly white. Nine to 10 faint blotches along the lateral line, sometimes with traces of very indistinct cross-bars on the back. Upper edges of pectoral and caudal fins occasionally with faint black dots. The upper portion of the inner side of the pectoral fins dark.
Biology:  Inhabits muddy bottoms of the continental shelf down to about 60 m. Feeds on small bottom-dwelling invertebrates and fishes.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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