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Bigeye lizardfish (Synodus oculeus) — Synodontidae

Bigeye lizardfish

Synodus oculeus
Family: Synodontidae

The Bigeye lizardfish (Synodus oculeus) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
44.0–96.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia

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Description

The Bigeye lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) of sand and mud bottoms around Australia and 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 Bigeye lizardfish?

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

Where does the Bigeye lizardfish live?

The Bigeye lizardfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia

How big does the Bigeye lizardfish get?

The Bigeye lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Bigeye lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye lizardfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Bigeye lizardfish (Synodus oculeus) — Synodontidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Bigeye lizardfish (Synodus oculeus) — Synodontidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bigeye lizardfish (Synodus oculeus) — Synodontidae — 4
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bigeye lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Synodus oculeus
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Large-eye lizardfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.3 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)
44.0 verified
Max depth (m)
96.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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