WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Lighthouse Lizardfish

Synodus jaculum

Also known as: Blackblotch Lizardfish, Blacktail Lizardfish, Black-tailed Lizardfish, Javelin Lizardfish, Javelinfish, Tail-blotch Lizardfish, Tailspot Lizardfish, Snakefish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2016
Adult
@fishx6 · Pixie Wall - Great Barrier Reef, Australia · August 20091 / 7
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Overview

Found singly, pairs, or in small schools, half buried, or resting on rubble and sand bottoms, close to coral heads, over coral reefs.

Lizardfish are experts at camouflage, they lie in wait for their prey lying on top of the sand or buried with just their heads showing. Their jaws have one or more lines of needle-like teeth.
They grab their victims with lightening speed often taking quite large prey.

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How to identify

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 7
LIVES IN

Found singly, pairs, or in small schools, half buried, or resting on rubble and sand bottoms, close to coral heads, over coral reefs.

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Adult photos 7

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Discussion 2

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

2 comments

  • Travis· 18 Dec 2010

    Can anyone tell me what the second fish in the picture is? With generally bland, lighter color and still a significant tail blotch? Thanks!

  • fishx6Top Contributor· 4 Jan 2011

    The fish in the background of Blackblotch Lizardfish is The Speckled Sandperch. http://www.whatsthatfish.com/fish/speckled-sandperch/169

    Helpful
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FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

Deep dive

Taxonomy

  1. kingdomAnimalia
  2. phylumChordata
  3. classTeleostei
  4. orderAulopiformes
  5. familySynodontidae
  6. genusSynodus
  7. speciesSynodus jaculum Russell & Cressey, 1979

SourcesWoRMSFishBase

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More in the family

Lizardfishes (Synodontidae)