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Flame lizardfish (Saurida flamma) — Synodontidae

Flame lizardfish

Saurida flamma
Family: Synodontidae

The Flame lizardfish (Saurida flamma) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
30.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Pitcairn, Hawaii

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Description

The flame lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from shallow sand and mud water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, cylindrical, sandy-brown 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 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 Flame lizardfish?

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

Where does the Flame lizardfish live?

The Flame lizardfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Pitcairn, Hawaii

How big does the Flame lizardfish get?

The Flame lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Flame lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Flame 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

Flame lizardfish (Saurida flamma) — Synodontidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Flame lizardfish (Saurida flamma) — Synodontidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Flame lizardfish (Saurida flamma) — Synodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Flame lizardfish (Saurida flamma) — Synodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sara Thiebaud, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Flame lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Saurida flamma
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Orangemouth saury; Redmouth lizardfish; Orangemouth lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.5 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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Pitcairn, 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 Saurida

More from the family Synodontidae

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