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Smallscale lizardfish (Saurida caribbaea) — Synodontidae

Smallscale lizardfish

Saurida caribbaea
Family: Synodontidae

The Smallscale lizardfish (Saurida caribbaea) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–460.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The smallscale lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from coastal waters of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, cylindrical, sandy-brown speckled body with a lizard-like head and a broad mouth full of needle-fine teeth. As an ambush predator it lies half-buried on sand bottoms and shoots up to seize passing fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smallscale lizardfish?

The Smallscale lizardfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Smallscale lizardfish live?

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

How big does the Smallscale lizardfish get?

The Smallscale lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Smallscale lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Smallscale lizardfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinschub-hagedisvis sourced
English name
Smallscale lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Saurida caribbaea
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Smallscale lizardfish; Smallescale Lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
460.0 verified
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 Saurida

More from the family Synodontidae

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