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Lighthouse lizardfish (Synodus jaculum) — Synodontidae

Lighthouse lizardfish

Synodus jaculum
Family: Synodontidae

The Lighthouse lizardfish (Synodus jaculum) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–100.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Marquesas Is. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The lighthouse lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, cylindrical body with a lizard-like, toothed head and two conspicuous dark spots on the tail base. As an ambush hunter it lies motionless, often half-buried, on sand and reef bottoms and darts up to seize passing small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lighthouse lizardfish?

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

Where does the Lighthouse lizardfish live?

The Lighthouse lizardfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Marquesas Is. and others

How big does the Lighthouse lizardfish get?

The Lighthouse lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Lighthouse lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Lighthouse 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.

Is the Lighthouse lizardfish edible?

Yes, the Lighthouse lizardfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Lighthouse lizardfish (Synodus jaculum) — Synodontidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Lighthouse lizardfish (Synodus jaculum) — Synodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Lighthouse lizardfish (Synodus jaculum) — Synodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Pete McGee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lighthouse lizardfish (Synodus jaculum) — Synodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Lighthouse lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Synodus jaculum
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Blacktail lizardfish; Black-tailed lizardfish; Javelinfish; Lighthouse lizardfish; Tail-blotch lizardfish; Blackblotch lizardfish; Lizardfish; Tailspot lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Marquesas Is. and others 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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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