Home · Synodontidae · Calico lizardfish
Calico lizardfish (Synodus lacertinus) — Synodontidae

Calico lizardfish

Synodus lacertinus
Family: Synodontidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–27.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The sauro is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from the eastern 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 solitarily and perches motionless on its pectoral fins on the bottom in a wide range of habitats, often half-buried in the sand. As an ambush hunter it darts up lightning-fast at passing small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Calico lizardfish?

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

Where does the Calico lizardfish live?

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

How big does the Calico lizardfish get?

The Calico lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Calico lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Calico lizardfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Calico lizardfish edible?

The Calico lizardfish is rarely eaten.

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
Slangen-hagedisvis sourced
English name
Calico lizardfish verified
Scientific name
Synodus lacertinus
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Sauro lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 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
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
27.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced

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 →