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Smallfin lizardfish (Harpadon microchir) — Synodontidae

Smallfin lizardfish

Harpadon microchir
Family: Synodontidae

The Smallfin lizardfish (Harpadon microchir) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The smallfin lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae), related to the Bombay duck, from coastal waters of the northwest Pacific. The species grows to about 70 cm and has a soft, partly translucent, silvery body with a large mouth full of fine, needle-sharp teeth. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it rests on sand and mud bottoms and seizes passing small fish and shrimp. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smallfin lizardfish?

The Smallfin lizardfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Smallfin lizardfish live?

The Smallfin lizardfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Smallfin lizardfish get?

The Smallfin lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.

Is the Smallfin lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Smallfin lizardfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinvin-hagedisvis sourced
English name
Smallfin lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Harpadon microchir
Family
Synodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Harpadon

More from the family Synodontidae

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