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Doak's lizardfish (Synodus doaki) — Synodontidae

Doak's lizardfish

Synodus doaki
Family: Synodontidae

The Doak's lizardfish (Synodus doaki) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9.0–260.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Doak's lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from shallow sand and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, cylindrical, sandy 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 or propped on its pelvic fins 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 Doak's lizardfish?

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

Where does the Doak's lizardfish live?

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

How big does the Doak's lizardfish get?

The Doak's lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Doak's lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Doak's lizardfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Doaks hagedisvis sourced
English name
Doak's lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Synodus doaki
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Arrowtooth lizardfish; Common lizardfish; Doak's lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 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)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
260.0 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 Synodus

More from the family Synodontidae

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