Lizardfish

Common Family Name

Lizardfish

Alias

Grinners, Allies

Scientific Name

Synodontidae

Size

Up to 60 cm, average 20 cm.

Identification

Cigar-shaped, elongated body with triangular head. Sharp teeth in both jaws. Dorsal fin in the middle of the back. Gill covers are larger than the head. Red, black, brown and lighter blotches over the whole body.

General Info

Synodontidae family consists of 5 genera and 55 species. Found perching on the bottom, looking like lizards. Prefer sandy bottoms. Sometimes hide under the sand to ambush prey. Move very fast to catch prey. Pelagic spawners.

Feeding

Feeds on small fish.

Distribution

Occurs in all temperate and tropical oceans of the world.

Common Species

Blacktail lizardfish - Synodus jaculum
Sand lizardfish - Synodus dermatogenys
Variegated lizardfish - Synodus variegatus