Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
Site Supported in Part by:
Boyd Enterprises 

Synodus

Synodus binotatus

Schultz, 1953

Two-spot Lizardfish

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Not Suitable for Fish-Only Tank

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Gulf of Aden and East Africa to and Gambier Islands, north to Southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Size: 7 inches (17 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits hard surfaces on reef slopes at depths between 3 to 100 feet (1 – 30 m) and basically feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.

General Husbandry: Has a mottled reddish brown coloration that helps it blend into surroundings, and two black spots on the tip of the snout. Not collected for the trade.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Aulopiformes

    Suborder: Alepisauroidei

    Family: Synodontidae

    Subfamily: Synodontinae

    Genus: Synodus

FYI: Those in this family are termed ‘Lizardfishes’ and are quick moving and voracious predators! Most reside either buried in the sand with only their head showing, or sitting on some form of the substrate waiting for a tasty meal to come close enough to be captured and eaten.

Highly territorial.

Tankmates must be large enough not to be eaten.

Basically unsuitable for the average home aquarium as they require live foods, e.g., live grass shrimp/small fishes.

Shown here for identification only.

Best displayed in ‘special species’ type aquariums/public aquarium displays.

 Synodus binotatus (Two-spot Lizardfish)
Photo © Robert Patzner
Site Supported in Part by:
Tunze