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Longfin lizardfish (Saurida longimanus) — Synodontidae

Longfin lizardfish

Saurida longimanus
Family: Synodontidae

The Longfin lizardfish (Saurida longimanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–280.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Longfin lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) of sand and mud bottoms around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, cylindrical, sand-coloured body with a lizard-like head and a large mouth full of needle teeth. As an ambush predator it lies half-buried and darts up at passing small fish and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longfin lizardfish?

The Longfin lizardfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Longfin lizardfish live?

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

How big does the Longfin lizardfish get?

The Longfin lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Longfin lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Longfin lizardfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Longfin lizardfish edible?

Yes, the Longfin lizardfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langvin-hagedisvis sourced
English name
Longfin lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Saurida longimanus
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Longfin lizardfish; Longfin saury; Long-finned lizardfish; Long-finned saury verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
280.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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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