Home · Synodontidae · Sand lizardfish
Sand lizardfish (Synodus dermatogenys) — Synodontidae

Sand lizardfish

Synodus dermatogenys
Family: Synodontidae

The Sand lizardfish (Synodus dermatogenys) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–91.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Sand lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 24 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 Sand lizardfish?

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

Where does the Sand lizardfish live?

The Sand lizardfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Sand lizardfish get?

The Sand lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Sand lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Sand lizardfish is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zand-hagedisvis sourced
English name
Sand lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Synodus dermatogenys
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Banded lizardfish; Clearfin lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.0 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
91.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Synodus

More from the family Synodontidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →