Synodus saurus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Atlantic Lizardfish

Range: Eastern Atlantic Ocean: Morocco to Cape Verde, including Azores and Mediterranean, and also Western Atlantic – Bermuda and Bahamas to Lesser Antilles.

Size: 16 inches (40 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy and coral rubble substrates around rocky reefs and is usually found at depths between about 3 to 80 feet (1 – 20 m), yet also far deeper waters, and basically feeds on small fishes.

General Husbandry: Has a mottled brownish body. Not collected for the trade.

Taxonomy:

Order: Aulopiformes

Suborder: Alepisauroidei

Family: Synodontidae

Subfamily: Synodontinae

Genus: Synodus

FYI: Those in this family are termed ‘Lizardfishes’ and are quick moving and voracious predators! Most reside either buried in the sand with only their head showing, or sitting on some form of the substrate waiting for a tasty meal to come close enough to be captured and eaten.

Highly territorial.

Tankmates must be large enough not to be eaten.

Basically unsuitable for the average home aquarium as they require live foods, e.g., live grass shrimp/small fishes.

Shown here for identification only.

Best displayed in ‘special species’ type aquariums/public aquarium displays.