Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Synodus

Synodus jaculum

Russell & Cressey, 1979

Blackblotch Lizardfish, Tailblotch Lizardfish, Lighthouse Lizardfish

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Not Suitable for Fish-Only Tank

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East Africa to Line, Marquesan, and Society Islands, and the Izu Islands of Japan, and south to New South Wales.

Size: 6 inches (15 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy and coral rubble substrates near coral heads on coastal reefs at depths between about 3 to 300 feet (1 – 90 m), and basically feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.

General Husbandry: Has a brownish body with dark brown patches and a large black spot on the caudal peduncel. 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 jaculum (Blackblotch Lizardfish, Tailblotch Lizardfish, Lighthouse Lizardfish)
Photo © Robert Patzner
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RedSea