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Twospot lizardfish (Synodus binotatus) — Synodontidae

Twospot lizardfish

Synodus binotatus
Family: Synodontidae

The Twospot lizardfish (Synodus binotatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–88.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Cook Is. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The twospot lizardfish is a lizardfish (Synodontidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has an elongate, cylindrical, sandy body with red-brown markings and two dark spots on the snout, and a lizard-like head with a broad, toothed mouth. As an ambush predator it lies half-buried or still on the bottom and shoots up to seize passing small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twospot lizardfish?

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

Where does the Twospot lizardfish live?

The Twospot lizardfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Cook Is. and others

How big does the Twospot lizardfish get?

The Twospot lizardfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Twospot lizardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Twospot 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 Twospot lizardfish edible?

Yes, the Twospot lizardfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Twospot lizardfish (Synodus binotatus) — Synodontidae — 2
Elaine Tan (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Twospot lizardfish (Synodus binotatus) — Synodontidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Twospot lizardfish (Synodus binotatus) — Synodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Twospot lizardfish (Synodus binotatus) — Synodontidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Elisabeth Morcel (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Twospot lizardfish sourced
Scientific name
Synodus binotatus
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Two-spot lizard fish; Twospot lizardfish; Spotnose lizardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
88.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Cook 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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