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Lizardfish (Saurida micropectoralis) — Synodontidae

Lizardfish

Saurida micropectoralis
Family: Synodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Lizardfish (Saurida micropectoralis) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–260.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The shortfin lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, cylindrical body with a lizard-like head and a large mouth full of fine, needle-sharp teeth. It lives bottom-bound on mud bottoms of the continental shelf down to about sixty metres depth. As an ambush hunter it lies motionless on the bottom and darts up at small bottom fishes and invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lizardfish?

The Lizardfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Lizardfish live?

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

How big does the Lizardfish get?

The Lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 38 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Lizardfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Lizardfish edible?

Yes, the Lizardfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinvin-hagedisvis sourced
English name
Lizardfish verified
Scientific name
Saurida micropectoralis
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Shortfin lizardfish; Short-finned lizardfish; Short-finned saury verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
260.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

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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