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Red lizardfish (Synodus ulae) — Synodontidae

Red lizardfish

Synodus ulae
Family: Synodontidae

The Red lizardfish (Synodus ulae) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–121.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and others

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Description

The Red lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from shallow reef water of the central and western Pacific, including Hawaii. The species grows to about 26 cm and has an elongate, cylindrical, sandy body with a lizard-like head and a broad mouth full of needle-fine teeth. As an ambush predator it lies half-buried on sand bottoms and shoots up to seize passing small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red lizardfish?

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

Where does the Red lizardfish live?

The Red lizardfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Red lizardfish get?

The Red lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Red lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Red 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

Red lizardfish (Synodus ulae) — Synodontidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — YockeyT (CC0)
Red lizardfish (Synodus ulae) — Synodontidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Harry Rosenthal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Red lizardfish (Synodus ulae) — Synodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Suzu Sato, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Red lizardfish (Synodus ulae) — Synodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) sdmariee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Red lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Synodus ulae
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Hawaiian lizardfish; Red lizard fish; Five-band lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
121.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan 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

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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