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Updated 10/4/2021

Family Synodontidae

Lizardfishes

Lizardfishes are slender bottom-dwellers with large mouths that lunge rapidly to capture unsuspecting prey.  Many species are difficult to positively identify without considerable experience.  Saurida have tightly-packed bristle-like teeth on the lips, Synodus has conical teeth separated by small gaps, and Trachinocephalus has bulging eyes set high and far forward allowing it to bury with just the eyes exposed.  These primitive fishes have a small spineless dorsal fin followed by a stubby flap of skin called an adipose fin on the caudal peduncle.  Lizardfishes are very bony and poor eating despite being easy to catch.  Large individuals attain a length of 1 foot.  Known as 'ulae in Hawai'i and eso in Japan.

 



Post-larvae of Synodus (L) and Trachinocephalus (R)

 

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Saurida flamma

ORANGEMOUTH LIZARDFISH

 

Saurida gracilis

SLENDER LIZARDFISH

 

Saurida nebulosa

NEBULOUS LIZARDFISH

 

Synodus dermatogenys

CLEARFIN LIZARDFISH

 

Synodus ulae

BROWN LIZARDFISH

 

Synodus variegatus

VARIEGATED LIZARDFISH

 

Synodus binotatus

TWOSPOT LIZARDFISH

 

Synodus rubromarmoratus

RED-MARBLED LIZARDFISH

 

Trachinocephalus trachinus

BLUESTRIPE LIZARDFISH

 


INDO-PACIFIC

Synodus jaculum

JAVELINFISH

 

Synodus hoshinonis

HOSHINO'S or BLACKEAR LIZARDFISH

 


WESTERN ATLANTIC

Synodus synodus

DIAMOND LIZARDFISH

 

 



Family Aulopidae

Very similar to the Lizardfishes in most aspects with a larger dorsal fin.  They prefer cool water.

AUSTRALIA

Latropiscis purpurissatus

SERGEANT BAKER