Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Synodus

Synodus lacertinus

Gilbert, 1890

Sauro Lizardfish

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Not Suitable for Fish-Only Tank

Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: Guayamas, Mexico, to Chile.

Size: 8 inches (20 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy and coral rubble substrates around rocky reefs at depths between about 3 to 100 feet (1 – 30 m), and basically feeds on small fishes and crustaceans, mostly at night.

General Husbandry: Has a mottled reddish body. 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 lacertinus (Sauro Lizardfish)
Photo © John Randalln
Synodus jaculum Synodus saurus
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