Home · Synodontidae · Filamentosus saury
Filamentosus saury (Saurida filamentosa) — Synodontidae

Filamentosus saury

Saurida filamentosa
Family: Synodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Filamentosus saury (Saurida filamentosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; soft bottoms of the continental shelf.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Filamentosus saury?

Get the app

Description

The threadfin lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from the western Pacific. The species has an elongate, cylindrical body with a lizard-like head and a large mouth full of numerous fine, sharp teeth. It lives bottom-bound on soft bottoms of the continental shelf and nearshore waters, often half-buried. As an ambush hunter it darts up at passing small fishes and crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Filamentosus saury?

The Filamentosus saury has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Lizard-like head with numerous fine teeth; half-buried bottom ambush predator.

Where does the Filamentosus saury live?

The Filamentosus saury lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Pacific; soft bottoms of the continental shelf.

How big does the Filamentosus saury get?

The Filamentosus saury grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Filamentosus saury dangerous to humans?

No, the Filamentosus saury is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Filamentosus saury edible?

Yes, the Filamentosus saury is commonly eaten.

More photos

Filamentosus saury (Saurida filamentosa) — Synodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Filamentosus saury (Saurida filamentosa) — Synodontidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Filamentosus saury (Saurida filamentosa) — Synodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Filamentosus saury (Saurida filamentosa) — Synodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Filamentosus saury?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Filamentosus saury is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Filamentosus saury verified
Scientific name
Saurida filamentosa
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Thread-fin grinner; Threadfin saury verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; soft bottoms of the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Passing small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Lizard-like head with numerous fine teeth; half-buried bottom ambush predator. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Saurida

More from the family Synodontidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Filamentosus saury?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Filamentosus saury is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Filamentosus saury? Get the app