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Capricorn lizardfish (Synodus capricornis) — Synodontidae

Capricorn lizardfish

Synodus capricornis
Family: Synodontidae

The Capricorn lizardfish (Synodus capricornis) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 21 cm.

Length
21 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–88.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Chile, Easter I., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Pitcairn, Tonga, Hawaii

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Description

The Capricorn lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from shallow sand and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, cylindrical, sandy body with a lizard-like head and a large mouth full of fine, needle-sharp teeth. As a motionless ambush predator it lies half-buried or propped on its pelvic fins on the bottom and suddenly shoots up to seize passing small fish and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Capricorn lizardfish?

The Capricorn lizardfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Capricorn lizardfish live?

The Capricorn lizardfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Chile, Easter I., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Pitcairn, Tonga, Hawaii

How big does the Capricorn lizardfish get?

The Capricorn lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 21 cm.

Is the Capricorn lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Capricorn 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

Capricorn lizardfish (Synodus capricornis) — Synodontidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Capricorn lizardfish (Synodus capricornis) — Synodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Tabitha Borchardt (CC BY 2.0)
Capricorn lizardfish (Synodus capricornis) — Synodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Erica, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Capricorn lizardfish (Synodus capricornis) — Synodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) D. Torres-Pulliza, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Capricorn lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Synodus capricornis
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Capricorn lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
88.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Chile, Easter I., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Pitcairn, Tonga, Hawaii 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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