Synodus indicus

(Day, 1873)

Indian Lizardfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to to southern India and Sri Lanka.

Size: 13 inches (33 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy and muddy areas, usually buried in the substrate, on coastal reefs at depths between about 70 to 300 feet (20 – 90 m) and basically feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.

General Husbandry: Has a row of reddish brown blotches along the body, which is an overall light tan. 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.