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Saurida gracilis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
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Saurida gracilis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
  • Photo. (c) 2022 BSS/MCSS.
  • Photo. (c) 2022 BSS/MCSS.
Genus: ,

Scientific Name: Saurida gracilis

English Name: Gracile lizardfish

Creole Name:

French Name: Anoli grêle

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)



Information

Description:

Dorsal spines: 0; Dorsal rays: 11-12; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 9-10.

Elongate body. Large mouth with sharp slender teeth that are exposed when the mouth is closed. Teeth on tongue minute. Anterior nostril flap large, 
heavily pigmented, medial portion ateenuated and triangular. 3.5 scales above lateral line. Short based dorsal fin and a dorsal adipose fin.

Colour. A mottled greyish lizardfish with three dark bars across the rear half of the body, the largest just behind the dorsal fin. Row of dark blotches 
lateroventrally. Dorsal, caudal and pelvic fins with dark bands.

The dark bars on rear half of body are usually broader than those of the Clouded Saury, Saurida nebulosa.
 


Size:

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm. Max length : 32.0 cm SL. 
 


Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits sand and silty reefs, also known to inhabite seagrass beds, may also be found on hard substratum (depth usually 1-12 m - there are records of much 
deeper occurrence but these have yet to be verified). Feeds on small fish and occasionally on crustaceans. Active at night. The sexes are 
separate and fertilisation is external. Little is known of the biology of this species. 
 


Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. Lizardfish are very rarely caught in the artisanal fishery. 


Notes:

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
 


References:

Bray, D.J. (2018). Saurida gracilis in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4008 (23/08/22). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Saurida-gracilis.html (23/08/22).
McGrouther, M. (2021). Gracile Saury, Saurida gracilis Quoy & Gaimard, 1824. https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/gracile-saury-saurida-gracilis/ (23/08/22). 
Russell, B. & Smith-Vaniz, W.F. (2016). Saurida gracilis. The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T67852269A67871630.en. (23/08/22). 
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Saurida gracilis, Gracile lizardfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/saurida-gracilis-quoy-gaimard-1824/ 


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