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Flame lizardfish (Saurida flamma) — Synodontidae

Flame lizardfish

Saurida flamma
Family: Synodontidae

The Flame lizardfish (Saurida flamma) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
30.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The flame lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from shallow sand and mud water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, cylindrical, sandy-brown body with a lizard-like head and a large mouth full of fine, needle-sharp teeth. As a motionless ambush predator it lies half-buried on the bottom and suddenly shoots up to seize passing small fish and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flame lizardfish?

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

Where does the Flame lizardfish live?

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

How big does the Flame lizardfish get?

The Flame lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Flame lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Flame lizardfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlam-hagedisvis sourced
English name
Flame lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Saurida flamma
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Orangemouth saury; Redmouth lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.5 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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 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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