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Blackear lizardfish (Synodus kaianus) — Synodontidae

Blackear lizardfish

Synodus kaianus
Family: Synodontidae

The Blackear lizardfish (Synodus kaianus) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
48.0–326.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The blackear lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) of sand and mud bottoms of the continental slope in 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 Blackear lizardfish?

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

Where does the Blackear lizardfish live?

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

How big does the Blackear lizardfish get?

The Blackear lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Blackear lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackear lizardfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-hagedisvis sourced
English name
Blackear lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Synodus kaianus
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Gunther's lizard fish; Gunther's lizardfish; Kaianus lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 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)
48.0 verified
Max depth (m)
326.0 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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